Apostasy Laws Today: Countries That Kill Apostates
While Western Muslims often claim that Islam respects freedom of religion, the reality in Muslim-majority countries tells a different story. In 2025, thirteen countries maintain laws that prescribe the death penalty for apostasy—leaving Islam. Numerous others criminalize apostasy with prison sentences, fines, and loss of civil rights. This systematic persecution of ex-Muslims exposes the violent intolerance at Islam's core and reveals what Islam looks like when Muslims have the power to fully implement sharia law.
The Islamic Legal Basis for Killing Apostates
The death penalty for apostasy is not an extremist interpretation—it is mainstream Islamic jurisprudence based on clear hadith and centuries of scholarly consensus.
Narrated Ikrima: "Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event reached Ibn Abbas who said, 'If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, "Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire)." I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."'" (Sahih Bukhari 9:84:57)
Narrated Abdullah: "Allah's Apostle said, 'The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims.'" (Sahih Bukhari 9:83:17)
All four major Sunni schools of Islamic law (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali) agree that the penalty for apostasy is death, though they differ on procedural details like waiting periods and opportunities for repentance. Shia jurisprudence also prescribes death for apostasy.
The Quran, while not explicitly commanding execution for apostasy, clearly condemns apostates and promises eternal punishment:
"Indeed, those who have believed then disbelieved, then believed, then disbelieved, and then increased in disbelief - never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way." (Quran 4:137)
"But those who reject Faith after they accepted it, and then go on adding to their defiance of Faith,- never will their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have gone astray." (Quran 3:90)
Countries with Death Penalty for Apostasy
The following countries maintain laws that prescribe death for apostasy, though enforcement varies:
1. Afghanistan
Under Taliban rule, apostasy is explicitly punishable by death. Afghanistan's constitution declares that no law can be contrary to Islam. Islamic sharia courts handle apostasy cases. In 2006, Abdul Rahman faced execution for converting to Christianity before international pressure led to his release and asylum in Italy. Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, enforcement has become stricter.
2. Iran
Iran's Islamic Penal Code explicitly criminalizes apostasy. Article 167 states that if no codified law exists for a crime, judges must base their rulings on Islamic sources. Numerous Iranians have been executed for apostasy, often charged as "moharebeh" (enmity against God). Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was sentenced to death for apostasy in 2010 (later released under international pressure). Converts to Christianity face particular persecution.
3. Malaysia
While Malaysia's federal constitution guarantees freedom of religion, sharia courts in several states prescribe death for apostasy. The state of Kelantan passed legislation in 2015 allowing death for apostasy and other sharia offenses. Enforcement remains inconsistent, but apostates face intense social pressure, family rejection, and official harassment. "Rehabilitation" programs force apostates to recant.
4. Maldives
The constitution requires all citizens to be Muslim. Apostasy is grounds for loss of citizenship. While execution is rarely carried out, apostates face imprisonment and social ostracism. In 2010, Mohamed Nazim was arrested for apostasy after declaring himself non-Muslim. The country has zero official religious diversity—100% of citizens are legally Muslim.
5. Mauritania
Article 306 of the Mauritanian Penal Code prescribes death for apostasy for adult Muslims. The law allows three days for repentance before execution. In 2014, blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed was sentenced to death for criticizing decisions made by Muhammad, constituting apostasy. International pressure reduced the sentence, but he remains imprisoned.
6. Nigeria (12 northern states)
Twelve northern Nigerian states have implemented sharia law, including death for apostasy. While federal law doesn't prescribe death, sharia courts in these states can impose it. Christians in northern Nigeria face extreme violence from groups like Boko Haram, who target those they consider apostates from Islam or obstacles to Islamic rule. Thousands have been killed.
7. Pakistan
While Pakistan's penal code doesn't explicitly prescribe death for apostasy, blasphemy laws effectively criminalize leaving Islam. Blasphemy is punishable by death. Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, spent eight years on death row for blasphemy before acquittal in 2018. Her lawyer was murdered, and she had to flee the country. Ahmadis, considered apostates by mainstream Muslims, face systematic persecution.
8. Qatar
Article 1 of Qatar's constitution declares sharia the main source of legislation. Apostasy is punishable by death under Islamic law, though prosecutions are rare. Social pressure and family consequences effectively prevent open apostasy. Qatar funds Islamic institutions worldwide that teach traditional sharia including death for apostasy.
9. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has no written penal code; sharia is the law of the land. Apostasy is explicitly punishable by death. The religious police (mutaween) monitor religious compliance. In 2014, Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for "insulting Islam." Conversion from Islam to another religion is treated as apostasy. Atheism is classified as terrorism under a 2014 royal decree.
10. Somalia
Article 2 of Somalia's constitution declares Islam the state religion and prohibits any laws contrary to sharia. Apostasy is punishable by death. Al-Shabaab, the terrorist group controlling parts of Somalia, actively hunts and executes converts from Islam. In 2013, Al-Shabaab beheaded a Christian convert. Chaos and lawlessness make Somalia extremely dangerous for apostates.
11. Sudan
Sudan's 1991 Penal Code prescribes death for apostasy. Article 126 states that a Muslim who leaves Islam is guilty of apostasy and should be executed if they do not repent within three days. In 2014, Meriam Ibrahim was sentenced to death for apostasy after marrying a Christian man (she was raised Christian but considered Muslim because her father was Muslim). International pressure led to her release, and she fled to the United States.
12. United Arab Emirates
The UAE's penal code prescribes death for apostasy, though it is rarely enforced. Sharia courts handle family and religious matters. Social pressure and family consequences effectively suppress open apostasy. The UAE presents a moderate face to the world while maintaining traditional Islamic law. Converts from Islam face family rejection, loss of inheritance, and potential arrest.
13. Yemen
Yemen's constitution declares sharia the source of all legislation. Apostasy is punishable by death. In the ongoing civil war, apostates and religious minorities face violence from multiple factions. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) actively enforces apostasy laws in areas they control. Yemen is one of the world's most dangerous places for Christians and ex-Muslims.
Countries with Criminal Penalties (Non-Death) for Apostasy
Many other Muslim-majority countries criminalize apostasy with imprisonment, fines, and loss of civil rights:
- Egypt: While no explicit apostasy law exists, converts from Islam face loss of civil rights, inability to change identity documents, and arrest under various pretexts. Al-Azhar University regularly issues fatwas declaring apostates should be killed.
- Jordan: Apostasy results in loss of civil rights, including marriage dissolution and loss of inheritance rights.
- Kuwait: Apostasy cases are handled through sharia courts, resulting in civil penalties and family law consequences.
- Oman: Apostasy is illegal though rarely prosecuted. Social and family pressure prevents open apostasy.
- Syria: Before the civil war, apostates faced imprisonment and civil penalties. The current chaos makes apostasy even more dangerous.
- Morocco: While apostasy isn't explicitly criminalized, converts face arrest under other laws, and proselytizing Muslims is illegal.
Social Consequences Beyond Legal Penalties
Even in countries without official apostasy laws, ex-Muslims face severe consequences:
- Family rejection and honor killings: Families may disown, imprison, or murder apostates to preserve family honor
- Loss of custody of children: Apostates often lose parental rights
- Loss of inheritance: Islamic law prevents apostates from inheriting from Muslim relatives
- Forced marriage dissolution: Marriage to a Muslim is automatically dissolved upon apostasy
- Loss of employment: Apostates often cannot find work in their communities
- Social ostracism: Complete rejection by community, friends, and extended family
- Vigilante violence: Even without official prosecution, mobs or individuals may attack apostates
The Role of Islamic Institutions
Mainstream Islamic institutions, not just extremists, support apostasy laws:
Al-Azhar University in Egypt, the most prestigious institution in Sunni Islam, consistently affirms that apostasy is punishable by death according to Islamic law. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), representing 57 Muslim-majority countries, has defended apostasy laws and opposed universal human rights declarations that protect freedom to change religion.
Major Islamic scholars across the Muslim world teach traditional apostasy doctrine. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, one of the most influential contemporary Islamic scholars, has stated that without the death penalty for apostasy, Islam would not exist today—an admission that Islam must use violence to prevent people from leaving.
The "Moderate Muslim" Excuse
When confronted with apostasy laws, Western Muslims often claim these are cultural practices or extremist interpretations. This is false. Apostasy laws are based on:
- Explicit, authentic hadith from Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
- Unanimous agreement (ijma) of classical Islamic scholars
- All four Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence
- Contemporary fatwas from mainstream institutions like Al-Azhar
- The practice of Muhammad's companions
Muslims who reject apostasy laws are actually rejecting core Islamic teachings, not defending them. They are advocating for a reformed Islam that doesn't yet exist in mainstream jurisprudence.
Biblical Contrast: Freedom to Choose
Christianity presents a stark contrast. Jesus never commanded his followers to kill those who leave the faith. Instead, he taught freedom to choose:
"If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." (John 7:17)
When many disciples abandoned Jesus, he let them go and asked his remaining disciples, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" (John 6:67). He gave them freedom to choose.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). Christianity spread through persuasion, not compulsion. Christians who left the faith in the early church faced no death penalty—some were simply expelled from communities, but their lives were not threatened by Christian doctrine.
While the medieval Catholic church instituted inquisitions and persecuted heretics—actions contrary to Jesus' teachings—these were aberrations that reformers challenged and that are now universally condemned by Christians. Islam, by contrast, maintains apostasy laws as part of its core jurisprudence, defended by mainstream scholars.
Questions to Consider
- What does it say about Islam that thirteen countries officially prescribe death for leaving the religion?
- How can a religion claim to be true if it must kill those who choose to leave?
- Why do mainstream Islamic institutions and scholars continue to defend apostasy laws if they are merely "extremist interpretations"?
- If Islam were actually true, wouldn't it be able to retain followers through its truth rather than through threats?
- How can Western Muslims claim Islam respects freedom of religion when the majority of Muslim-majority countries criminalize apostasy?
- What does it reveal about Allah that he requires humans to murder those who no longer believe in him?
- If you lived in Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Afghanistan and wanted to leave Islam, how would apostasy laws affect your freedom?
- Why should anyone respect a religion that doesn't respect the most fundamental human right—freedom of conscience?