There is a big misconception about Islam in "The West". The same people who acknowledge that their own governments lie to them, that their media lies to them, these same educated types - for some strange reason, they are all willing to believe from whatever dubious source that they are told from, that their media is saying the truth about Islam! 

Did the Prophet kill apostates who renounce Islam?

In Islamic jurisprudence, apostasy is categorized into two main types: major and minor. Let’s delve into the details:

1. Major Apostasy:

   • Major apostasy occurs when a person openly renounces Islam and actively encourages others to do the same. This type of apostasy poses a significant threat to the Muslim community.
   • In cases of major apostasy, where apostates wage war against Allah and His Messenger or spread mischief in the land, there are legal consequences. The punishment for major apostasy can include death.
   • The aim is to protect the integrity of the Muslim community and prevent the undermining of Islamic beliefs and practices.

2. Minor Apostasy:

   • Minor apostasy, on the other hand, refers to a situation where a person embraces Islam while being aware of its virtues and teachings but later chooses to reject it.
   • Importantly, there is no legal punishment for minor apostasy as long as the individual does not attempt to physically harm the Muslim community.
   • In other words, if someone privately leaves Islam without causing harm to others, they are not subject to legal penalties.

Muslim scholars base their understanding of apostasy on the Quranic verses and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Their goal is to strike a balance between safeguarding the faith and respecting individual freedom of belief.

Remember that context, intent, and the impact on the community play crucial roles in determining the severity of apostasy. It is essential to approach this topic with both legal and compassionate perspectives.

And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.

Al Quran 18:28

There is no compulsion in religion. The truth is distinct from misguidance.

Al Quran 2:256

Jabir reported: A bedouin came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and gave the pledge of allegiance for embracing Islam. The next day he came with a fever and he said, “Cancel my pledge.” The Prophet refused three times and he said, “Medina is like a furnace. It expels its impurities and makes use of what is pure.” 

Bukhari 1784: In this example, a man rejected Islam after embracing it but the Prophet did not apply legal punishment to him.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It is unlawful to shed the blood of a Muslim who testifies that there is no God but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah, except in one of three cases: the married person who commits adultery, legal retaliation for murder, and a person who abandons their religion and secedes from the community.” Bukhārī 6878: The reference to one who “separates from the community” (al-mufariq lil-jama’ah) indicates that a person is not legally punished simply for not practicing Islam, but rather for high treason against Muslim authorities. This is made even clearer in another narration in which the Prophet describes the major apostate as: 

"A man who rejects Islam and wages war against Allah the Exalted and His Messenger".  Source: Sunan An-Nasa’i 4048 

Concerning the statement of Allah, the Most High: The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger. "This Verse was revealed concerning the idolators. Whoever among them repents before he is captured, you have no way against him. This Verse does not apply to the Muslims. Whoever kills, spreads mischief in the land, and wages war against Allah and His Messenger, then joins the disbelievers before he can be caught, there is nothing to prevent the Hadd punishment being carried out on him because of what he did." 

Question to those who disbelieve: On the one hand you claim that Shariah prescribes to death for those who disbelieve in Islam, and on the other hand you say those people in Muslim lands are leaving their religion! You can't have it both ways - where are the executions for merely disbelieving?!!! 

A very interesting dicussion regarding the very few problematic hadith and why these should be disregarded; in the end - the Quran is the 1st source for guidance and reference, and then we should assess the hadith and the narrative in them and look at the reason as to why these are in conflict with other hadith and Allah swt knows best...

Now let us see what the Bible says about Apostasy: 

“Suppose someone secretly entices you—even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend—and says, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known. 7They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. 8But do not give in or listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. 9You must put them to DEATH! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in. 10Stone the guilty ones to death because they have tried to draw you away from the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery. 11Then all Israel will hear about it and be afraid, and no one will act so wickedly again.12“When you begin living in the towns the LORD your God is giving you, you may hear 13that scoundrels among you are leading their fellow citizens astray by saying, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods you have not known before. 14In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find that the report is true and such a detestable act has been committed among you, 15you must attack that town and completely destroyb all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. 16Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the open square and burn it. Burn the entire town as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. 17Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a large nation, just as he swore to your ancestors. 18“The LORD your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands that I am giving you today, doing what pleases him."