The Issue of Apostasy
By: Dr. Maqsood Jafri

(Continued)
Here it seems incumbent to mention that, according to the History of Tabari, after the conquest of Mecca 10-12 reverts were captured and four out of them were beheaded, not because of their reversion, but because of their involvement in aggression against the Muslims.

The peaceful reverts were never killed by the orders of the Prophet of Islam as he believed in the freedom of faith for everyone. In this regard, the holy Quran is very clear when it asks the holy Prophet to invite the pagans to Islam with wisdom and good exhortation. In one place, the Quran tells the Prophet, you are not a watchman of the people. You just give my message to the infidels and do not bother more than that. It also shows that Islam believes in the free choice of faith.

The supporters of the freedom of faith quote this event in their support. Once, a Christian, who had accepted Islam and had become a scribe of the Qur'an, later reverted to Christianity. This man declared that everything Mohammad knew was taught him by the Christian.

Even such a big liar was not punished by the Prophet of Islam. This man died a natural death.

The supporters of the death sentence for apostates cite that, according to Sahih Bokhari and Sahih Muslim, the people of Urainah were put to death for reversion. Jajal-ud- Deen Sayyuti concludes that these people were not subjected to death penalty on account of abandoning Islam but on account of their involvement in murderous acts and pernicious aggressive deeds. It shows that Islam is diametrically opposed to transgression and aggression and does not pardon such enemies of humanity.

The supporters of the freedom of faith quote the following vents in the support of their plea as well: (a) Ibn Hajjar Mecci commenting on the event recorded in Sahih Bokhari about a Bedouin Arab who had accepted Islam but, when contracting a high fever, he went to the Prophet, rejected Islam, and left. The Prophet did not issue the orders of his death and let him go his way. (b) The famous treaty of Hudaibiah includes a provision where, if a

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