Are Muslims free to leave Islam for another religion?

Answer 1

There is no compulsion in accepting any religion. One should think hundred and one times before accepting Islam. But if a person accepts Islam, he is NOT free to convert to any other religion. It may make a mockery of Islam. That is not permitted.

Answer 2

Obviously, from a human rights perspective, Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." This would make it clear that conversion into or out of Islam is legal from a secular perspective.

However, according to Shariah or Islamic Law, conversion out of Islam or apostasy, is punishable by death. While the Qur'an is very vague on the notion of apostasy (mainly claiming that there is freedom to choose religion in this life, but unbelievers will be tormented in the next), the question is not what the Qur'an says, but what Islam says. Islamic Law, coming out of the Hadith (in both Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Al-Muslim) is quite clear on the question of apostasy and proscribes capital punishment as the desirable way to deal with apostates. Islam is considered by its adherents to be the only truth and those who deny it are setting a bad example that Islam is "just like every other religion" that a person can "try on" and leave at a whim. Also, most people who convert religions tend to slander their prior religion. In order to prevent slander against Islam, ex-Muslims are liable to be killed, silencing them from saying nasty things. There is no branch of conservative or radical Islam that says that it is not the duty of an Islamic Government to execute or strongly chastise an Apostate. Only Muslim Reformists have argued that apostasy should be decriminalized.

If a Muslim is of sound mind, an adult and commits apostasy that of his own free will, knowing what he does, then his blood may be shed with impunity. He is to be executed by the Muslim ruler or by his deputy such as the Qadi or judge, and he is not to not be washed (after death, in preparation for burial), the funeral prayer is not to be offered for him and he is not to be buried with other Muslims.

The evidence that the apostate must be killed comes from Mohammed's orders in Sahih Al-Bukhari 2794 and Sahih Al-Bukhari 6524 which both say: "Whoever changes his religion, execute him." It is clear from context that the term "religion" here refers exclusively to Islam. It would be nonsensical if this were applied to converts to Islam and is not taken in that context. It is also not taken in context to non-Muslims converting between Non-Muslim religions (i.e. a Jew who converts to Christianity). It is only understood to apply in cases of apostasy from Islam.

Mohammed also said in Sahih Al-Bukhari 6878 and Sahih Al-Muslim 1676 that there are three conditions for which it is permissible to kill someone who was/is a Muslim. The third condition is the apostate: "It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness that there is no god except Allah and that I am His Messenger, except in one of three cases: a soul for a soul (i.e., in the case of murder); a married man who commits adultery; and one who leaves his religion and splits from the Islamic Community."

Answer 3

Yes, they are free to believe in any religion. It is mentioned in Quran that no compulsion in religion beliefs and that every one is free to believe in any religion and then he/she will be judged according to his/her belief in front of God on the Day of Judgement.