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Cited by 5Qur’anic Interpretation StudiesIslamic Thought and Society StudiesIslamic Studies and History

Understanding riddah in Islamic jurisprudence: Between textual interpretation and human rights

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Rokhmadi, Rokhmadi, Khasan, Moh, Amin, Nasihun, Baroroh, Umul·2023·HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
DOI 10.4102/hts.v79i1.8613
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Abstract

The application of the death penalty for perpetrators of riddah by fuqaha is a problematic violation of human rights. This is because there is no good reason to show that the punishment for riddah is the death penalty. The existence of the hadith which is considered to be the legitimacy of riddah punishment turns out to be very different from the reality of its application in the history of Islamic criminal law. This article aims to answer academic anxiety about the death penalty for perpetrators of riddah as a result of the ijtihad of fuqaha as well as to confirm the construction of its historical reality in state life. This article finds that some verses of the Qur’an and the hadith which are used as legal basis by fuqaha are only understood textually and treated as absolute theological verses and hadiths , but not based on historical evidence. The history of the application of criminal punishment during the time of the Prophet shows that there is no application of the death penalty to the perpetrators of riddah , except riddah which is followed by criminal acts. So it is not solely because of the act of riddah itself, but because of a greater crime against Islam. The implementation of the death penalty for the perpetrators of riddah which is based on textual interpretation of the hadith , thus has the potential to conflict with the principles of human rights and religious freedom which have been regulated in the Qur’an. Contribution: This study enriches perspectives on the meaning of riddah as one of the strategic issues in Islam and shows that a new interpretation of riddah has become an important idea to promote a peaceful and inclusive society and provide access to justice for all.

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  • Many traditions prescribing capital punishment were revealed in wartime or in situations where apostasy posed an existential threat to the early Muslim community.

    “They note that many traditions prescribing capital punishment were revealed in wartime or in situations where apostasy posed an existential threat to the early Muslim community (Rokhmadi et al., 2023).”

    From APOSTASY PUNISHMENT IN ISLAMIC SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS IN THE MALAYSIAN CONTEXT (2025) · cites this paper as Rokhmadi et al., 2023

    In “The death penalty for riddah perpetrators” (page unavailable), the paper says the death penalty applies to apostasy involving fighting Muslims or defecting to their enemies in war. It does not say that many traditions prescribing capital punishment were revealed in wartime or during existential threats to the early Muslim community. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classical jurisprudence across the four Sunni schools traditionally prescribes the death penalty for apostasy.

    “Classical jurisprudence across the four Sunni schools traditionally prescribes the death penalty for apostasy; however, these discussions often lack detailed elaboration on the procedural and ethical dimensions that precede such a sentence (Rokhmadi et al., 2023).”

    From APOSTASY PUNISHMENT IN ISLAMIC SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS IN THE MALAYSIAN CONTEXT (2025) · cites this paper as Rokhmadi et al., 2023

    In “The death penalty for riddah perpetrators” (page unavailable), the paper says fuqaha used hadiths to justify death for apostasy, and “Restrictions on freedom of belief” describes this as the majority view. It does not establish that all four Sunni schools prescribe it; it also discusses conditions for punishment and human-rights concerns rather than showing that these discussions lack procedural and ethical elaboration. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The traditional stance prescribing the death penalty for apostasy continues to dominate many scholarly and legal interpretations.

    “Despite these evolving perspectives, the traditional stance, which frequently prescribes the death penalty for apostasy, continues to dominate many scholarly and legal interpretations (Rokhmadi et al., 2023).”

    From APOSTASY PUNISHMENT IN ISLAMIC SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS IN THE MALAYSIAN CONTEXT (2025) · cites this paper as Rokhmadi et al., 2023

  • Reformist scholars contend that hadith prescribing capital punishment should be interpreted contextually rather than literally.

    “Reformist scholars contend, however, that such hadith should be interpreted contextually rather than literally.”

    From APOSTASY PUNISHMENT IN ISLAMIC SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS IN THE MALAYSIAN CONTEXT (2025) · cites this paper as Rokhmadi et al., 2023

  • The traditional death penalty for apostasy may represent a jurisprudential overextension not fully supported by the foundational texts when viewed through a holistic lens that prioritises human rights and freedom of conscience.

    “This approach implies that the traditional death penalty for apostasy may represent a jurisprudential overextension not fully supported by the foundational texts when viewed through a holistic lens that prioritises human rights and freedom of conscience (Rokhmadi et al., 2023).”

    From APOSTASY PUNISHMENT IN ISLAMIC SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE: PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS IN THE MALAYSIAN CONTEXT (2025) · cites this paper as Rokhmadi et al., 2023

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Rokhmadi, R., Khasan, M., Amin, N., & Baroroh, U.
Affiliations
Walisongo State Islamic University (ID)
ORCID
Venue
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
Publisher
AOSIS
Published
2023-07-04
Volume
79
Issue
1
ISSN
  • 0259-9422 (ISSN-L)
  • 2072-8050
DOI
10.4102/hts.v79i1.8613
OpenAlex
W4383263562
Cited by
5
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 4
FWCI
3.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Qur’anic Interpretation Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Islamic Thought and Society Studies
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Islamic Studies and History
Keywords
riddah, apostasy, death penalty, Islamic criminal law, human rights, religious freedom, textual interpretation, hadith, ijtihad, Quran, Prophet Muhammad

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