Why cant Muslims change their religion to another religion?

Answer 1

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." All Muslim-majority nations are members of the United Nations and most Islamic countries have signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which thereby grants all Muslim citizens the rights to convert to another religion.. However, Saudi Arabia declined in 1948, on the grounds of Sharia law. Iran has since stated that the Declaration can not be implemented.

In 2000, Muslim nations that are members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (now the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) officially resolved to support the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, an alternative document that states (Article 10): "Islam is the religion of unspoiled nature. It is prohibited to exercise any form of compulsion on man or to exploit his poverty or ignorance in order to convert him to another religion or to Atheism." This Declaration has been criticised as intended to restrict human rights, rather than to implement them. In nations where the Cairo Declaration applies, there appears to be no inherent right to convert to another religion, even in the absence of any form of compulsion or exploitation. There are 57 signatory nations, which may be intended to override the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where applicable. Enforcement on restrictions to convert may vary among signatory nations, and these restrictions are inapplicable elsewhere.

Answer 2

It depends on what the question is asking.

If it is asking, what prevents Muslims from converting to other religions?, the answer is that according to Shariah 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. 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.

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."

If the question is asking, where is the rationale by which Islam sees apostasy as wrong? the answer is rather straightforward. 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.

Answer 3

It depends on what the question is asking.

Mental Decision to Leave
There is nothing that prevents a Muslim from making the mental decision to leave Islam. The issue is making such a decision manifest. This means that talking about being a Non-Muslim (regardless of whether it is deconversion - Ex-Muslim Atheism - or conversion to a different faith - Ex-Muslim Christianity) and speaking critically of religion can result in problems. Being an Non-Muslim in your head and staying silent about it does not have any effect (save a possibly Divine one).

Prevention of Conversion under Shari'a
If it is asking, what prevents Muslims from converting to other religions?, the answer is that according to Shari'a 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. 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.

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 Muhammad'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.

Muhammad 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."

Why Islam Sees Apostasy as Wrong
If the question is asking, where is the rationale by which Islam sees apostasy as wrong? the answer is rather straightforward. 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.

Answer 4

They can. Islam teaches religious freedom.

A few countries, however, have a less tolerant point of view on religious freedom.