DEATH PENALTY AND RIDDAH: A CRITICAL EVALUATION TOWARDS THE CLAIM OF A JURISTIC IJMĀ‘

Abstract

Contemporary academics and ‘ulama debate back and forth regarding whether Islam really supports the execution of those who have apostatised away from Islam (i.e. committed riddah). There is already numerous research dedicated to the interpretation of verses of the Qur’an and aḥadīth relevant to riddah, and what legal rulings can be derived from them. What often alludes contemporary academics is what some ‘ulama call the “third primary source of Islamic law”, namely ijmā‘. Claims of and counterclaims against ijmā‘ regarding executing the murtadin have often been cited in passing, somehow the latter more lengthily explained. What is missing, however, is a comprehensive analysis of these ijmā‘ claims and counterclaims and this is what our research does. Through literature research using comparative fiqh analysis, we critically examine whether an ijmā‘ has been achieved during the era of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥ (pious predecessors) then the classical madhāhib regarding the matter of murtadin execution, considering also potential exceptions. Finding the affirmative, we critically analyse what to make of the contemporary dissenting opinions in navigating the present-day challenges to implement Islamic criminal law.