Punishment of Apostacy in Islam — Page 54
54 Punishment of Apostacy by Companions of Holy Prophet We now proceed to the examination of instances which are cited to establish that the Companions of the Holy Prophet imposed the penalty of death upon apostates. Before examining those instances we would observe that we are not bound by the action of any companion of the Holy Prophet. We are bound only by the Holy Quran and the practice of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. Syed Sharif al Jarjani has stated in his Mukhtasar: The word or action of a companion, however reliably stated, is not binding. In Kashful Asrar, which is a commentary on AI-Manar, it is stated at p. 99 of Vol. II: We follow the Prophets, peace be on them, as we have been assured through the signs exhibited by them that they have been safeguarded against falsehood and mistake, and we follow them on account of their sinlessness. This quality is not guaranteed in respect of others. Therefore we are not bound to follow any of them. That is why Imam Shafai has said that the word of a companion is not binding. Had it been binding, people would have been called to obey it as they are called to obey the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. At page 100 of the same book it is recorded: It is related of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he wrote to Shuraih, directing him to decide in accordance with the Holy Quran, and failing that, according to the practice of the Holy Prophet, and in default of that, according to his own judgment. He did not direct him to follow any dictum of Umar himself.