FatwaPenangCreed (Aqidah)
FATWA MENGENAI USAHA MURTAD DAN CARA HIDUP YANG TIDAK ISLAM
What is the ruling on a Muslim who executes a deed poll and adopts a non-Islamic way of life, and may a Muslim lawyer represent a Muslim seeking to leave Islam?
Short answer
A Muslim born to a Muslim family who executes a deed poll and practises a non-Islamic way of life, such as worshipping idols, is judged an apostate under four conditions: sound mind, maturity, free choice without coercion, and repentance.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Penang State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Keputusan Fatwa Negeri Pulau Pinang (e-Fatwa)
- Topic
- Creed (Aqidah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
A Muslim born to a Muslim family who executes a deed poll and practises a non-Islamic way of life, such as worshipping idols, is judged an apostate under four conditions: sound mind, maturity, free choice without coercion, and repentance. The fatwa lists repentance without further explanation, and the determination of apostasy must be decided in the Syariah Court. A person who has pronounced the shahadah but was never taught or practised Islam is still deemed Muslim, though sinful. A Muslim lawyer is not permitted to represent a Muslim who wishes to apostatise, because the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Penang) 1996 provides no punishment for apostasy, so such representation encourages more Muslims to apostatise.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Tidak diharuskan kepada peguam Islam mewakili seseorang Islam yang ingin murtad, ini kerana dalam Enakmen Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah (P.Pg.) 1996 tidak ada hukuman ke atas kesalahan murtad, ini menggalakkan Iebih ramai orang Islam murtad.
Read the full fatwa on the Penang website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Penang State Mufti Department. “FATWA MENGENAI USAHA MURTAD DAN CARA HIDUP YANG TIDAK ISLAM”, 29 August 2008. http://efatwa.penang.gov.my/fatwa_details.php?fatwaid=660. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-apostasy-and-lawyers-representing-apostates/