A MUSLIM AND THE DEATH PENALTY

A Muslim who �bears testimony to the fact that there is no God but Allah, and I [Muhammad] am the Messenger of Allah,� can be punished with the death penalty only if he is a married adulterer, or if he has killed someone (i.e., someone who is a Muslim, according to many jurists), or if he is a deserter from Islam (4152-4155).  The translator tells us that there is almost a consensus of opinion among the jurists that apostasy from Islam must be punished with death.  Those who think such a punishment is barbarous should read the translator�s justification and rationale for it (note 2132).

author : ram swarup