What Counts as Apostasy in Islam? 

A Look Through Salafi Teachings

“A Muslim may apostatize from his religion by doing many acts that nullify Islam, which makes it permissible to shed his blood and seize his wealth.”
— IslamQA (Salafi website)

In this post, we explore a subject central to Islamic law as understood by Salafi Islam: apostasy (Arabic: riddah). The discussion is based primarily on the teachings of IslamQA.info, a globally popular Salafi website, and reflects the jurisprudence of the Hanbali school and Salafi creed, rooted in the works of classical scholars and authorities like Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Bāz, Muhammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb, and Ibn ʿUthaymīn.

This article makes no critique, but simply presents how apostasy is defined, categorized, and penalized within that traditional framework.

What is Apostasy (Riddah) in Islam?

Apostasy refers to a Muslim leaving Islam—either through belief, speech, or action. In the Salafi tradition, apostasy is not merely a personal spiritual matter, but a serious offense that has consequences in Islamic law (Sharīʿah).

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reportedly said:

“Whoever changes his religion, kill him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3017)

According to IslamQA, apostasy carries the following consequences:

  • The person is no longer considered a Muslim.

  • It becomes permissible to shed his blood (qatl) if due process is followed.

  • His property may be seized.

  • Marital contracts are annulled, and

  • He is barred from Muslim burial and inheritance.

These rulings are not unique to IslamQA but reflect centuries of mainstream Hanbali jurisprudence, widely upheld in Salafi circles.

Ten Acts That Nullify Islam

IslamQA often references the list of “ten nullifiers of Islam” (nawāqid al-islām) compiled by Muhammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb. Below is a summary of these actions, any of which—if committed knowingly and intentionally—constitute apostasy:

1. Shirk (Associating Partners with Allah)

Believing that anyone or anything shares in Allah’s divinity, worship, or attributes. This includes invoking saints, offering sacrifices at graves, or seeking intercession through deceased figures.

2. Intermediaries in Worship

Calling upon prophets, angels, or “holy men” as go-betweens in prayers or duʿāʾ.

3. Failure to Declare Disbelievers as Disbelievers

Refusing to regard idol-worshippers, Christians, Jews, or heretical Muslims as non-Muslims is itself considered disbelief.

4. Belief in the Validity of Other Religions

Affirming that Judaism, Christianity, secularism, or any ideology offers a valid alternative to Islam.

5. Hatred of Any Part of Islam

Even if one practices Islam externally, inward hatred toward an Islamic ruling or punishment invalidates one's faith.

6. Mockery of Allah, the Qur’an, or the Prophet

Derision or sarcasm toward any aspect of Islam, regardless of intent, is apostasy.

“Say: Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Do not make excuses; you have disbelieved after believing.”
— Qur’an 9:65–66

7. Practicing Magic or Sorcery

Using spells, summoning jinn, or engaging in black magic is considered disbelief if it involves calling on powers other than Allah.

8. Supporting Disbelievers Against Muslims

Helping non-Muslims in military or ideological conflict against Islam and Muslims.

9. Believing Islam Is Optional

Assuming that rejecting Islam is permissible or that people are free to adopt or abandon Islam without consequence.

10. Turning Away from the Religion

Deliberate abandonment of Islamic teachings or living in total indifference to prayer, rituals, and beliefs.

Legal Rulings on Apostasy

Salafi legal tradition outlines specific consequences for apostates, particularly in an Islamic state under Sharīʿah:

  • Death Penalty:
    The ruling is based on the hadith mentioned above, and is considered consensus (ijmāʿ) by classical scholars, especially among Hanbalis.

  • Seizure of Wealth:
    An apostate’s property may be forfeited to the Islamic state.

  • Dissolution of Marriage:
    The marriage contract is rendered invalid, as a Muslim cannot remain married to an apostate.

  • Burial and Inheritance Rights:
    The apostate cannot inherit from or be buried among Muslims.

Ibn Qudāmah in al-Mughnī:
“The apostate’s blood and property become permissible; his marriage is void, and he is not buried in Muslim cemeteries.”

Repentance and Due Process

IslamQA affirms that the apostate is first to be counseled and given a chance to repent. Traditionally, a period of three days is allowed for reflection.

If the person repents sincerely, they are reintegrated into the Muslim community with full rights restored.

If not, the Islamic state may carry out capital punishment after a court procedure. Vigilante action is strictly prohibited.

Modern Application and Limits

Importantly, Salafi scholars—especially those associated with IslamQA—stress:

  • These penalties apply only in an Islamic government enforcing Sharīʿah.

  • They are not applicable in secular or non-Muslim societies.

  • Ordinary individuals have no authority to declare someone an apostate or carry out any punishment.

  • All rulings must be handled by qualified judges (qādīs) in legitimate courts.

Conclusion

In Salafi Islam, apostasy is seen not just as a private loss of faith but as a public crime against God and society, meriting severe penalties when committed knowingly and intentionally. IslamQA’s views reflect a longstanding Salafi-Hanbali tradition deeply embedded in classical Islamic jurisprudence.

This understanding is based on:

  • Qur’anic verses

  • Sahih hadiths

  • Ijmāʿ (consensus) of classical scholars

  • And foundational texts like al-Mughnī and Nawāqid al-Islām

This post faithfully presents the Salafi position without critique. Further posts may examine how this doctrine has been debated or applied historically and in modern times.

If you believe this post does not accurately represent the teachings of Islam or the Salafi tradition, please feel free to comment below with specific references from the Qur’an, authentic hadiths, or classical scholars to support your correction.

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