Apostasy and Islam

" ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [The Qur'an 2/Al-Baqara/256]

This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

Resources: Must Read Books on Islam



  1. The Message of The Qur'an by Muhammad Asad
  2. Concepts of the Qur'an: A Topical Reading by Dr. Fathi Osman
  3. Struggling to Surrender by Dr. Jeffrey Lang
  4. Islam by Dr. Fazlur Rahman
  5. Islam, the West, and Challenges of Modernity by Tariq Ramadan
  6. The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam by Allamah Muhammad Iqbal
  7. The Preaching Of Islam: A History Of The Propagation Of The Muslim Faith by Sir T. W. Arnold
  8. Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time by Karen Armstrong
  9. Towards an Islamic Theory of International Relations: New Directions for Methodology and Thought by Dr. AbdulHamid AbuSulayman
  10. Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World by Edward W. Said
  11. The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity by Dr. Sayyid Hossein Nasr
  12. Islamic Futures: The Shape of Ideas to Come by Dr. Ziauddin Sardar
  13. Speaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority and Women by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl
  14. Remembrance and Prayer: The Way of Prophet Muhammad by Shaikh Muhammad al-Ghazali
  15. Islam: The Straight Path by Dr. John Esposito

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STATEMENT: Muslims Uphold the Freedom of Faith

While affirming Islam as the way to Salvation, Muslims also affirm the Freedom of Faith, because Islam is by CHOICE. Recently, Muslims of diverse background issued a statement upholding the Freedom of Faith.

* The Statement [see the Archive]
* The Signatories [see the Archive]

To add your name to the signatories, send an email to islambychoice@gmail.com with your name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, country of residence.


Islam is by Choice

THOSE WHO WERE CONSULTED IN PREPARING THE STATEMENT [partial list]

[In alphabetical order of the last name]

1. Dr. Asma Afsaruddin [Associate Professor, Arabic & Islamic Studies, University of Notre Dame]

2. Dr. Omar Afzal [retired from South Asian Collection, Cornell University]

3. Dr. Ahrar Ahmad [Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University]

4. Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad [President/Director, Minaret of Freedom Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; USA]

5. Dr. Mohammad Fadel [Faculty of Law, University of Toronto]

6. Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq [Upper Iowa University]

7. Mike Mohamed Ghouse [President, Muslim World Congress]

8. Shah Abdul Hannan [Chairman of Islamic Economic Research Bureau; Director, Islamic Bank Bangladesh Ltd; Bangladesh]

9. Dr. Layla al-Marayati [Muslim Women's League]

10. Dr. Sulayman Nyang [Professor, African Studies Department, Howard University]

11. Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina [Professor, University of Virginia]

Do you want to be among the signatories?

To add your name, please send an email - explicitly specifying that you want to add yourself to the list of signatories - to islambychoice@gmail.com with your name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, and country of residence.

Countries with Blasphemy or Apostasy Law

Currently, the following countries in the Muslim World have Blasphemy or Apostasy Law:

Afghanistan;
Iran;
Mauritania;
Pakistan;
Qatar;
Saudia Arabia;
Sudan;
Yemen.

Source: Link

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Qur'anic Verse of the Month [June/2015]

To be a Muslim or Believer is to stand for justice for ALL

"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do." [4/an-Nisa/135]

Blog Archive

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      • 100+ Signatories to the Statement about Islam and ...
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Accountability for Injustice and Wrongful Violence

Accountability for Injustice and Wrongful Violence
The Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God will definitely enforce the settlement of all the dues to those entitled to receive them on the Day of Judgment, even the wrong done to a hornless goat by a horned goat will be addressed." [Sahih Muslim, #6252]

Islam and You

Know Islam
Understand Islam
Experience Islam
Live Islam
Cherish Islam
Enjoy Islam
Share Islam

Ka'ba in Makkah

Ka'ba in Makkah
A place of assembly for mankind (an-Nas) and a safe sanctuary [The Qur'an/2:125]

Madinah al-Munawara, the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (p)

Madinah al-Munawara, the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (p)
"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day" [Al-Qur'an/33:21]

The Mercy and Grace (Rahmah) of God

The Mercy and Grace (Rahmah) of God
The Prophet Muhammad said: "There are one hundred (parts of) mercy for Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon the jinn and human beings and the insects and it is because of this (one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection, and Allah has reserved ninetynine parts of mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Muslim, #6631]

More Illustrations of God's Grace flowing through His Creations

More Illustrations of God's Grace flowing through His Creations



The Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God is Kind and he likes kindness in everything." [Sunan Ibn Majah, #3684]

"Let there be no hostility except against those who practice Zulm (oppression)" [al-Qur'an/2:193]

"Let there be no hostility except against those who practice Zulm (oppression)" [al-Qur'an/2:193]

Peaceful coexistence of the humanity. It can be learnt by all of us.

Serving others

Serving others

Qur'anic verse of the Month [June/2015]

Seeking common grounds is an Islamic imperative

"Say: 'O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God.' If then they turn back, say: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's Will).'" [3/Ale Imran/64]

From God: Nature's Beauty and Bounty

From God: Nature's Beauty and Bounty
"Who has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice." [Al-Qur'an/27:60]

More beauties from God

More beauties from God

"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky, and forthwith the earth becomes green? For Allah is He Who understands the finest mysteries, and is well-acquainted (with them)." [al-Qur'an: 22:63]




"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? ... And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and black intense in hue." [al-Qur'an/35:27]

More Bounties from God

More Bounties from God

"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colors" [al-Qur'an/35:27]

POEM: Love - Falling and Flying into Freedom

Jalaluddin Rumi

The way of love is not a subtle argument.
The door there is devastation.
Birds make great sky-
circles of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall, and
falling they’re given wings.

From The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, A.J. Arberry, Reynold Nicholson. Castle Books, 1995.

POEM: A New World

Hafiz

Let's offer flowers, pour a cup of libation,
split open the skies and start anew on creation.

If the forces of grief invade our lovers' veins,
cupbearer and I will wash away this temptation.

With rose water we'll mellow crimson wine's bitter cup;
we'll sugar the fire to sweeten smoke's emanation.

Take this fine lyre, musician, strike up a love song;
let's dance, sing all night, go wild in celebration.

As dust, 0 West Wind, let us rise to the Heavens,
floating free in Creator's glow of elation.

If mind desires to return while heart cries to stay,
here's a quarrel for love's deliberation.

Alas, these words and songs go for naught in this land;
come, Hafez, let's create a new generation.

Courtesy: The Spiritual Wisdom of Hafez: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love, by Haleh Pourafzal / Roger Montgomery Amazon.com

POEM: The Choice is Yours

Allamah Muhammad Iqbal

If the kings know not their Sustainer,
they are beggars,
And if the beggars do
they are Darius and Jamshed;
Freedom of the heart is sovereignity;
stomach is death,
The choice is yours;
heart or stomach?

Source: Link

Poem: Forgive Us, O Prophet!

Kazi Nazrul Islam
(translated from Bangla by Mohammad Omar Farooq)

We haven't embraced your message,
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
We have forgotten your ideals
And the path for us that you did set.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

You trampled like dust
Luxury and wealth, O master!*
You never dreamed that
We will be kings or lords of disaster!*

In this world's resource and treasure
Everyone has right of due measure;*
You proclaimed, on this earth,
Equal son's treatment all will get.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

In your religion, toward the unbelievers
You did not direct any hate;*
You served them as your fellows,
For all of them was open your hospitable gate.*

To demolish temples of others anywhere on land,
O valiant, you did not ever command;*
Now even difference in opinion from others
We can't bear or tolerate.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

You did not seek in the name of faith
Meaningless and shameful killing or fight;*
You did not place sword in our hand,
Rather gave us guidance, so noble and upright.*

Ignoring your tolerance and Magnanimity,
We have elevated fanaticism to a warped nobility;*
Is that why, from the heavenly fountain,
Does not flow that mercy, so divine and great?*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

We haven't embraced your message
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
We have forgotten your ideals
And the path for us that you did set.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

Courtesy: Kazi Nazrul Islam Page

POEM: Bloom Like A Rose

Hakim Sanai

Your heartrending fire
made me bloom like a rose.

I died at your feet
and returned fast to life.

My inborn freedom
offered nothing in profit;
but now I am free,
since becoming your slave.

Courtesy: -- from Love's Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition, Translated by David Fideler / Translated by Sabrineh Fideler
This Blog is developed and maintained by Team Islam-by-Choice. We are Muslims from a diverse background, who believe in Islam and, as per Islamic principles, uphold the freedom of faith. This blog is dedicated to presenting issues pertaining to freedom in general and apostasy in particular from the Islamic perspective. [April 2007]


For more info, contact: islambychoice@gmail.com

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