2019/10/07 by Christine Schirrmacher · 2 citations
Social Sciences · #Islamic Studies and History #Education and Islamic Studies #Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence #Apostasy #Islam #Law #Political science #Sharia #Criticism #Position (finance) #Verdict #Freedom of religion #Religious studies #Philosophy #Theology #Human rights #Economics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1163/9789004331471_008
openalex publication_date 2019/10/07 · openalex created_date 2022/05/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/22
In all Middle Eastern countries, it is legally impossible to leave Islam. Under Sharia law, apostasy is considered to be a punishable crime, and the death penalty can be applied in a handful of countries. Interestingly enough, the Koran does not seem to have a clear verdict on apostasy, whereas the sunna reports Muḥammad to have said “Whoever changes his religion, kill him”. All legal schools are demanding the death penalty to be applied for apostasy. Today, Muslim theologians are advocating three main positions: The progressive position, which favors complete religious freedom, a restrictive position, which basically rejects religious freedom for Muslims and seeks to penalize criticism of Islam. Finally, the majority centrist or moderate position advocating freedom of belief for Muslims but restricting it to internal thoughts.