The Truth about the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam — Page 58
58 56 That is, if they break their oaths after their covenant, and—over and above that—they proceed to revile your religion … Notice how it is not deemed as sufficient for going to battle against them if they only break their covenant. How sublime is this Word of God—what an all-embracing mercy. Although the idolaters are guilty of breaking their covenant, yet the punitive Divine decree, in regard to them, does not descend. Allah says that in the event that they stoop to such a base level that they not only break their covenant but also hurt you and openly revolt against you then you must, surely, go to battle against the leaders of disbelief. Because it is not legitimate to take any action against them until they break their own covenant (and rise against you), so that they may desist from such activities. According to Maul a na Maud u d i Sahib, and a few other ulema, there is no use even to "desist" either; i. e. an apostate must be killed even after he repents, because these ulema are of the view that an apostate’s repentance does not find Divine acceptance. 57 But, the phrase 58 "so that they may desist" clearly indicates that 56 And if they break their oaths after their covenant, and attack your religion, then fight these leaders of disbelief—surely, they have no regard for their oaths—that they may desist. (The Holy Qur’an 9:12). [Publisher] 57 See, Ash-Shih a b li Rajmil Kh a tifil Murt a b , page 31. [Publisher] 58 La‘allahum yantah u n (i. e. , "so that they may desist"). [Publisher]