Converts from Islam: Let God Be the Judge

Amid intense international pressure, an Afghan court recently dropped the charges against Abdul Rahman, a 41-year-old Afghan man, who faced execution for converting from Islam to Christianity. But as many around the world uttered a collective sigh of relief, the tension continued to grow.

 

In Kabul, hundreds took to the streets protesting against the court’s decision. Rahman is still very much in danger of being murdered. Afghan clerics had warned that if the charges were dropped, they would incite Afghanis to execute Rahman unless he reverted to Islam. Cleric Abdul Raouf said, "Rejecting Islam is insulting God. We will not allow God to be humiliated. This man must die."

 

 

But I ask why? Why must Abdul Rahman die?

 

"Because he is an apostate [traitor], and the apostate must die." This is not the first time I have heard this reasoning. Some Sunni militants kill Shi’as because they claim them to be "apostates." So many of Islam's detractors --as well as some Muslims--frequently claim that leaving Islam is punishable by death. Such a claim is absurd and has absolutely no scriptural basis in the Qur'an. None.

 

The Qur'an, in fact, is quite clear in matters of faith and personal conscience. The choice is left completely up to the individual. Let’s reflect on these verses in the Qur'an:

 

"Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life. And if God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto you ... (5:48)”

 

"Have, then, they who have attained to faith not yet come to know that, had God so willed, He would indeed have guided all mankind aright? (13:31)"

  

"And [because He is your Creator], it rests with God alone to show you the right path: yet there is [many a one] who swerves from it. However, had He so willed, He would have guided you all aright. (16:9)" 

 

"For had God so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community; however, He lets go astray that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]; and you will surely be called to account for all that you ever did! (16:93)"

 

All of these verses imply that humans are free to make their own choice when it comes to matters of faith. It is part of God's plan to have different faiths and to allow the humans to choose their own path. The Qur'an is even more explicit about this. Consider the following verses:

 

"There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error ... (2:256)"

 

"Say [O Muhammad], 'The truth is from your Lord:' Let him who wills believe it, and let him who wills, reject (it). (18:29)"

"If it had been your Lord's will, they all would have believed--all who are on earth. Will you, then, compel the people, against their will, to believe? (10:99)"

"It is not required of thee (O Messenger), to set them on the right path, but God sets on the right path whom He pleases. (2:272)"

The evidence is quite overwhelming. In Islam there is complete freedom of choice in matters of faith and religion. Furthermore, the Qur'an states that the reason war is sometimes necessary--as a last resort and in self-defense--is to preserve religious freedom: "If God had not enabled people to defend themselves against one another, [all] monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques--in [all of] which Gods name is abundantly extolled--would surely have been destroyed. (22:40)"