Islamic Cleric Calls for Death Penalty for Apostates, Sparks Controversy
In a provocative statement on his official Facebook page, Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo, the National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, has endorsed the death penalty for Muslims who abandon their faith. His remarks, shared on Thursday, have ignited intense discussions among scholars and human rights advocates.
Dr. Jalingo defended a Hadith an oral tradition regarding the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that prescribes execution for apostates, asserting that critics are demonstrating “compound ignorance.”
His statement came in response to those questioning the authenticity of the Hadith while claiming it contradicts Quranic teachings. Jalingo vehemently dismissed these objections, describing them as fabrications aimed at undermining established Islamic tenets.
In his post, he cited the controversial Hadith: “Whoever changes his religion, kill him,” and expressed willingness to confront those he considered misinformed. “Thank you for presenting to me what this compound ignoramus refers to as ‘100 Hadiths that contradict the verses of the Qur’an. This will, God willing, provide me with a platform to showcase his ignorance,” Jalingo wrote.
He then reiterated the significance of Hadith in Islamic doctrine, suggesting that it holds authority comparable to the Qur’an. “It must be understood that the Prophet never claimed the Hadith merely serves to interpret the Qur’an. He stated: ‘Indeed, I was given the Qur’an and something like it alongside it,'” Jalingo emphasized. He argued that while the Qur’an may address subjects in a concise manner, the Hadith serves as a detailed exposition.
In a bid to justify the Hadith advocating for apostate execution, Jalingo cited several verses from the Qur’an, including Surah At-Tawbah, verse 5: “Then, when the sacred months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them.” He also referenced Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 193, which states, “Fight them until there is no more fitnah (disbelief and oppression) and the religion is for Allah alone.” Additionally, he quoted Surah An-Nisa’, verses 89 and 91, endorsing lethal action against opponents of Islam.
Jalingo went further to assert that the commonly referenced verse advocating freedom of religion had been abrogated, stating, “Only someone completely ignorant like those fabricators would claim that the Hadith contradicts the Qur’an—because, in fact, the Qur’an permits the killing of apostates and polytheists in certain contexts.”
He concluded his remarks with an unsparing attack on his detractors, insinuating that their arguments were as disreputable as those of “prostitutes and effeminate men.”
The cleric’s statements have sparked a divisive response online, with some supporters hailing him for defending Islamic principles, while others, including moderate voices within the Muslim community, have condemned his remarks as incendiary and harmful. The debate remains ongoing, with concerns about the implications of such views on religious tolerance and human rights.
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