To leave Islam in an acceptable way?
Leaving Islam, or apostasy, is viewed seriously in both Sunni and Shia traditions, with significant consequences outlined in various sources.
In Sunni teachings, there are narrations that suggest the gravity of apostasy. For instance, a narration states: Whoever turns away from Islam and disbelieves in what Allah revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) after having embraced Islam, then there is no repentance for him. His killing becomes obligatory, and his wife is divorced from him, and what he leaves behind is inherited by his children.
Al-Kafi 3:376 This indicates that once a person has embraced Islam and then renounces it, there is no opportunity for repentance, and severe actions are mandated.
Similarly, another narration states: Whoever turns away from Islam and denies what Allah revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) after embracing Islam has no repentance and it is obligatory to kill him. His wife is separated from him and his inheritance is divided among his children.
Al-Kafi 2:297 This highlights a consensus on the consequences of apostasy, emphasizing a lack of forgiveness for the act.
In the Shia understanding, there is also an emphasis on the importance of remaining steadfast in one's faith. The consequences of leaving Islam are similarly severe, and there is a strong admonition against abandoning the faith.
Overall, both traditions underscore that leaving Islam is not considered acceptable and is met with strict repercussions, reinforcing the importance of faith and commitment to Islam.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 3:376
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 376
Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) said: The fur, shoes, cap, turban, belt, and trousers are removed from the martyr unless he has been stained with blood; if that is the case, the bloodied items remain, and nothing tied is left on him except what is untied. — OR — Someone asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about a man who bequeathed twenty dirhams for a pilgrimage. He said that a man from a place that he can reach should perform the pilgrimage on his behalf. — OR — I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about a boy and a slave girl whom their guardians married off while they were both unaccomplished (not reached maturity). He said: The marriage is valid and whoever attains maturity first has the option to choose. If both die before reaching maturity, there is no inheritance between them and no dowry except if they had attained maturity and consented. I said: If one attains maturity before the other? He said: That is permissible if he consents. I said: If the man, who attained maturity first and consented to marriage, dies before the slave girl reaches maturity, does she inherit him? He said: Yes, but her inheritance is held until she reaches maturity and swears by God that her acceptance of his inheritance was only due to her consent to the marriage; then the inheritance and half the dowry are given to her. I said: If the slave girl dies before reaching maturity, does the husband who has matured inherit her? He said: No, because she has the option when she attains maturity. I said: If her father married her off before she reached maturity? He said: The father's marriage is valid for her, as is any for the boy, and the dowry is the father's obligation for the slave girl. — OR — I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about the apostate. He said, “Whoever turns away from Islam and disbelieves in what Allah revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) after having embraced Islam, then there is no repentance for him. His killing becomes obligatory, and his wife is divorced from him, and what he leaves behind is inherited by his children.”
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Al-Kafi 2:297
Al-Kafi · Book 2, Hadith 297
I often complained about my eyes to Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him). He said to me: 'Shall I teach you a supplication for your worldly life, your hereafter, and for the healing of your eyes?' I said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Say after the dawn and after Maghrib prayers: "O Allah, I ask You by the right of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad upon You, bless Muhammad and his family, place light in my vision, insight in my religion, certainty in my heart, sincerity in my action, safety in my soul, abundance in my provision, and gratitude to You forever as long as You cause me to live."' — OR — Regarding a man who was obliged to fast two consecutive months during the day: He fasted Dhul-Qa'dah, then Dhul-Hijjah came. He said, "He should fast the entire month of Dhul-Hijjah except for the days of Tashreeq, which he must make up on the first day of Muharram until he completes those three days, thus completing the two consecutive months." He added, "He must not approach his wife until he has made up the three days of Tashreeq that he did not fast. It is permissible for him to fast one month and then fast some days of the next month, then if illness prevents him, he may break and afterward complete the two months." — OR — Regarding a man who gives a gift to a relative seeking reward and is in authority, he said: "It is permissible concerning what belongs to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and maintaining ties of kinship; it is allowed, and he has the right to reclaim it if it is for the sake of reward." — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about a man who married a woman and did not consummate with her. He said: If she dies, or he dies, or he divorces her, she is entitled to half the dowry; she must observe the full waiting period, and she inherits. — OR — I asked Abu Ja'far about the apostate. He said: Whoever turns away from Islam and denies what Allah revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) after embracing Islam has no repentance and it is obligatory to kill him. His wife is separated from him and his inheritance is divided among his children.
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