Islam and Human Rights — Page 164
Isl am and Hum an R ights 164 looked upon in the same way. It does involve a grave penalty, the displeasure of Allah, worse than death in the eyes of a believer, but of no consequence in the estimation of one who has ceased to believe. No temporal penalty is attracted, if the change of belief has not led to the commission of an offence. “Those who believe, then disbelieve, then again believe, then disbelieve, and then go on increasing in dis belief, Allah will never forgive them nor will He guide them to the way” (4:138). “Surely, those who disbelieve after they have believed and then go on increasing in disbelief, their repentance shall not be accepted, and they are the ones who have gone astray” (3:91). The Jews in Medina were constantly devising strata - gems to create trouble for and confusion among the Mus lims. One of the devices contemplated by them is referred to in the following verse: “A party of the People of the Book say: Profess belief in that which has been revealed unto the believers, in the early part of the day, and pro claim disbelief in it in the latter part of the day, perchance this might induce them to return to disbelief ” (3:73). This is clear proof that change of faith entailed no temporal punishment. For if apostacy had been treated