The Truth about the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam — Page 130
130 In Hadith, the person performing the Salat is instructed regarding the person who comes in front of him , [kill him for he is Satan] and here "Q A TIL" means that he should remove him from in front of him. that is the word "QIT A L" does not in every instance of its use convey the meaning of physical killing. Similarly, it is said: and it means that Allah may protect others from his evil. Thus, on the occasion of Saq i fa ban i Sa‘d Hadrat ‘Umar ra said: "May Allah protect Muslims from the evil of Sa‘d!" In an another tradition it is narrated that he said: that is to say: Consider him dead; as if he was not alive! Do not listen to him; do not accept his evidence! In the same way it is attributed to Hadrat ‘Umar ra that he who nominates himself or some other Muslim’s name for leadership (to be the Am i r): UQTUL U HU that is he is finished! Do not agree with him. Hence, it is evident that the Arabic word QATL is used in vast meanings. " Thus it is wrong to deduce that: FAQTUL U HU always means "to kill physically!" That would go against the meanings of the verses of the Qur’an and the practice of the Messenger sa.