FatwaPenangCreed (Aqidah)
FATWA MENGENAI USAHA MURTAD DAN CARA HIDUP YANG TIDAK ISLAM
What is the ruling on attempts to apostatise and living a non-Islamic way of life, and when is a person deemed an apostate?
Short answer
The Penang State Fatwa Committee agreed that apostasy is a criminal offence.
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
The Penang State Fatwa Committee agreed that apostasy is a criminal offence. A person born into a Muslim family who lives a non-Islamic way of life, or who executes a deed poll, is deemed an apostate on condition of being sane, of age, acting voluntarily and being given the chance to repent, and the determination must be made in the Syariah Court. A person who has uttered the shahadah but does not practise acts of worship is still regarded as a Muslim who commits sin. Muslim lawyers are not permitted to represent a Muslim seeking to apostatise, as this is seen as encouraging apostasy.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Mesyuarat bersetuju bahawa perbuatan murtad itu merupakan satu kesalahan jenayah
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”, 12 September 2008. http://efatwa.penang.gov.my/fatwa_details.php?fatwaid=665. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-apostasy-attempts-and-non-islamic-lifestyle/