Riddah

Riddah is an offense which refers to abandoning the Deen after having accepted it. The person who commits it is called a Murtadd. This is an extremely serious offense. A Murtadd’s condition is worse than an original Kaafir. His punishment also is very severe. A person who commits it in an Islamic state deserves capital punishment if he does not repent and retract.

The Nikah and Ibaadaat of such a person are nullified and he goes back to square one. If he has already performed Hajj previously, then that Hajj is nullified. When he embraces Islam again, he must perform the Hajj again if he has the means. Likewise, one has to renew one's Nikah. As for Ibaadaat such as Salah, Sawm (fasting), Zakaat etc. which were nullified, then there is no need for them to be repeated.

Ways in which a person can become a Murtadd

A person becomes Murtadd when he changes his religion. For example, he becomes a Christian, a Jew, or he professes another religion. In the same way, if he becomes a Qadiani or a Shiah.

It is not necessary to profess another religion itself to become a Murtadd. Rejecting a fundamental of Deen such as Salah, Zakaat, Sawm, Hajj or something from the Qur'an-e-Kareem also makes a person Murtadd.

In principle, denying something which is categorically proven makes a person a Murtadd. Making buffooneries or mockery of a principle of Deen is also a very serious act which makes a person a Murtadd.

If one does not practice something out of negligence or laziness, then it is far less serious than making fun of a mere practice of Deen because mockery leads to a person losing his Imaan. One must be very careful.

The sanction of a Murtadd

Riddah represents a betrayal to Islam. A person who becomes Murtadd in an Islamic state deserves capital punishment if he refuses to repent and retract. According to a Hadith of Saheeh Bukhari, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

من بدل دينه فاقتله

"Whoever changes his religion, then execute him."

This Hadith was reported by Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma), Hazrat Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat 'Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha), Hazrat Mu'aawiyah Bin Hayda (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Jareer (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Mu'aaz Bin Jabal (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu Anhu) and Hazrat Isma Bin Qais (Radiyallahu Anhu).

In spite of all this, there are some "Islamologists" who have found it "wise" for reasons known to them, to deny this sanction by using an ambiguous terms in order to soothe the occults and at the same time cast Muslims into confusion.

[English Version of "Le Riddah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.3]