Thursday, July 31, 2008

Sahih al-Bukhari 6922--On the Killing of Apostates

Narrated Ikrima: Some Zanakiqa (atheists) were brought to Ali; and he burnt them. The news of this event reached Ibn Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Messenger forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Messenger: 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

5 comments:

B said...

for a commentary on the hadith you can go here http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/james_white_s_hypocrisy_and_inconsistency__his_refusal_to_speak_against_his_highly_ill_mannered_friend_sam_shamoun

B said...

actually here...


http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/why_did_ali_burn_some_apostates___by_understanding_islam

Jay said...

Hi Bassam - the links are incomplete again.

Sunil said...

The basic problem is the idea of establishing islamic rule over the nations (using a religion based army to conquer). The mixing of religion and politics is a very tempting proposition and it often happens even without a religious sanction (in case of islam it is religiously instructed by Muhammad). This means that when muslims are capable of conquering and taking over (islamic) rule of any state/country etc, they are supposed to go for it. The idea of an islamic state (as opposed to the idea of a state asserting universal human rights, dignity freedom of religious faith etc on behalf of all citizens) is the root cause of most conflicts and human rights violations in the world today.

Sunil said...

>> 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'

Well, muslim apologists in the west are even willing to peacefully dialogue with those who reject/renounce Muhammad. Is it a violation of teachings of Islam to peacefully dialogue with those who reject/renouce islam and consider Muhammad a false prophet who violated most prescriptive commandments of God as given by Scriptures/Jesus? The willingness to peacefully dialogue in a non-violent environment is welcome (it is truly a big deal, considering Muhammad own attitude towards those who are hostile to him). The question is, is it a climb-down from Muhammad's teachings or a climb-up?