Question:Recently, I have come across a few narratives related to apostasy, and I have started feeling uneasy and worried if, God forbid, my religion is somewhat unjust. Here, I recall just one of the narratives: Muhammad ibn Yahya narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Musa bin Bakr from al-Fadl ibn Yasar that Abu Abdullah said, "A Muslim man became a Christian, so they brought him to the Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) and asked him to repent, but he refused. So, they grabbed him by his hair and said, 'Step on him, O servants of Allah!' They trampled upon him until he died." Alongside this narrative, we have many statements that whoever falsely denies their faith should be killed. My question is as follows: Why is this so? Imam Ali (PBUH) has always been considered a model of justice, so was this apostate killed simply because he became a Christian, or was there something else? Generally, do apostates who leave Islam in an Islamic state, where there is an infallible or just jurist, get killed without betraying the society?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be informed my dear son, the comprehensive Sharia has established the boundaries for crimes and sins, and the legitimate Muslim ruler must implement these boundaries firmly and dutifully. Islam considers apostasy from Islam, for one who was born a Muslim, to be punishable by death. Why do you doubt this, my son, while Allah, the Almighty, has said, "Whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted by him" and He has also said, "And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally." We have been commanded to engage in jihad against the disbelievers, regardless of who the Imam or the Commander of the Faithful is. The Imam, as the leader of the believers, implemented the ruling of Allah, the Almighty, which is the essence of justice. Furthermore, be informed, my son, that it is well-known in the world that any state does not accept rebellion from anyone in its society who seeks to sabotage the nation. Such a person is considered a traitor deserving of the harshest punishments. Preserving the system and the security of the state is considered more important than the life of any individual, although the state provides the people with some of their necessities according to its capacity. In light of this, Allah, Almighty, has created the universe and everything in it as sustenance for humanity. Allah, the Almighty, has said, "He has created for you all that is on the earth" and other verses indicate that all creatures are created as a favor, mercy, and provision from Allah for His servants and the lives of those who came before us. Revolting against Allah and disobeying His commands is considered an offense and an attempt to sabotage the divine legislative and constitutional system, as indicated by many verses. As an example, the barren she-camel of Prophet Salih was the cause of the destruction of the people, and the audacity of the people of Prophet Noah (PBUH) was the reason for the perishing of most of humanity in the flood. Thus, the one who disobeys Allah's commands, especially the one who rejects the religion from its foundation, is working to undermine the legislative and constitutional system. In this sense, the Master of Martyrs (Imam Hussein) (PBUH) referred to this in his supplication of Arafah, highlighting the compassion of Allah towards His servants and the rebellion of some people against Him, saying, "They consume Your provision while worshipping other than You." This does not only refer to the provisions of food and clothing, but it also encompasses every aspect of human life as a provision from Allah, the Almighty. Therefore, the rebel who betrays the divine system and the divine state deserves punishment in proportion to the magnitude of their sin and their abandonment of Islam. The preservation of the divine system and the divine state justifies the harshest punishments, and in the hands of the Commander of the Faithful, the only action taken was execution, solely for the sake of preserving the divine system and state. As for the remaining punishments, they await him on the Day of Resurrection in the fire of Hell. There is no power except with Allah, the Most High, Almighty. Allah is the Guide.

Question:Why is it not possible to apply some Islamic laws in this modern age, such as the specific punishment for the thief, adulterer, or alcoholic, even though we believe that Islam is a comprehensive and permanent religion, and its laws are applicable in every age?

Answer:In the name of Allah, this is because people do not obey Islam, and scholars are helpless to apply it strictly. Allah is All-Knowing and Guide.