Apostasy in Islam

Author: al-Azhr, the Egyptian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs

This Fatawa describes how an Egyptian man turned apostate and the subsequent punishment prescribed for him by the Al-Azhr Fatawa council. The following translation is a rough guide:

In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficient the Most Merciful.

Al-Azhr

Council of Fatawa.

This question was presented by Mr. Ahmed Darwish and brought forward by [name obscured] who is of German nationality.

A man whose religion was Islam and his nationality is Egyptian married a German Christian and the couple agreed that the husband would join the Christian faith and doctrine.

1) What is the Islamic ruling in relation to this man? What are the punishments prescribed for this act?

2) Are his children considered Muslim or Christian?

The Answer:

All praise is to Allah, the Lord of the Universe and salutations on the leader of the righteous, our master Muhammed, his family and all of his companions.

Thereafter:

This man has committed apostasy; he must be given a chance to repent and if he does not then he must be killed according to Shariah.

As far as his children are concerned, as long as they are children they are considered Muslim, but after they reach the age of puberty, then if they remain with Islam they are Muslim, but if they leave Islam and they do not repent they must be killed and Allah knows best.

Seal of Al-Azhr

Head of the Fatawa Council of Al-Azhr.

Abdullah al-Mishadd (عبد الله المشد‎)

23rd September 1978.