Age Determination in Conversion to Religion in the View of Islamic Shariah

Abstract

The declaration of age for changing religion is not proved in the Qurʽan, hadith, and all other Islamic injunctions. A bill was recently introduced for approval in the Senate and National Assembly of Pakistan titled "Forcible Religious Conversion." The bill states that a person whose age is below 18 years and accepts another religion shall not be taken until their parents or any protector adopt that religion. Similarly, the Sindh assembly in 2016, Uttar Pradesh, the Indian province, and the Parliament of New Zealand have also passed such a bill. If we look at such a bill, it opposes Islamic principles and is also against the laws of an international system like the UN. Because someone is prohibited from accepting Islam or other religion, they are free and independent. Likewise, there is no permission for forcible religious conversion, and neither declares punishment on an individual after accepting another religion. The age declaration for changing religion is just like an impediment to getting and spreading Islam. This article will examine whether there is an age limit for voluntary conversion and what is the rule of international law and Islamic law in this regard.