FatwaFederal TerritoriesCreed (Aqidah)
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-872: ADAKAH ORANG YANG MURTAD SEBANYAK TIGA KALI TIDAK AKAN DITERIMA TAUBATNYA?
Is the repentance of a person who apostatises three times never accepted, based on Surah al-Nisa verse 137?
Short answer
The claim that repentance is no longer accepted after three apostasies is incorrect.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Creed (Aqidah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The claim that repentance is no longer accepted after three apostasies is incorrect. Scholars differ on the meaning of verse 137 of Surah al-Nisa, and some commentaries link it to those who trifle with religion or to the Jews. As long as a person repents sincerely, regrets the sin and resolves not to repeat it, Allah accepts the repentance before the soul reaches the throat. Feelings of doubt are whispers of Satan to be resisted by seeking refuge in Allah and affirming faith.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Dakwaan bahawa ayat ini bermaksud orang yang telah melakukan murtad sebanyak tiga kali tidak akan diterima taubatnya adalah tidak tepat.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-872: ADAKAH ORANG YANG MURTAD SEBANYAK TIGA KALI TIDAK AKAN DITERIMA TAUBATNYA?”, 3 December 2024. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/6054-irsyad-hukum-siri-ke-871-adakah-orang-yang-murtad-sebanyak-tiga-kali-tidak-akan-diterima-taubatnya. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/is-repentance-after-three-apostasies-accepted/