The Truth about the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam — Page 63
63 punishment;" 62 Not even a single word in this verse can be translated as "apostasy". Apostasy in not a theme discussed in this context — it is not even implicitly alluded to here. To stretch the word Mu ha rabah [i. e. , waging a war] and taking it to mean Irtid a d [i. e. , apostasy] amounts to a great injustice done to the Holy Qur’an as well as the Arabic language. It is amazing how, despite being called ulema, they have the audacity to do such things. THE OPINION OF A GREAT EXEGETE OF THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT Among the contemporary ulema, Maul a n a Muhammad Shaf‘ i , a muft i ** and a scholar, who is quite influential in India, where he is held in high esteem, says: "The first point to note, in this context, is: What is the meaning of waging a war [i. e. , mu ha rabah ] against Allah and His Messenger, and creating disorder on earth? And who are the people to whom it is applicable? The word mu ha rabah is derived from h arb , and its primary meanings are: to carry off forceful 62 The Holy Qur’an 5:34. [Publisher] ** One who is entitled to issue a Fatw a (or religious edict). [Publisher]