Takhrīj and Interpretation of the Hadith of Ibn Abbas Regarding the Issue of Apostasy

Abstract

The concept of apostasy, which refers to a person leaving the Islamic faith and entering disbelief, is mentioned in the Quran and hadith literature as a significant event. One of the main hadiths supporting this concept is often referred to as the “apostasy hadith,” which translates to “Kill anyone who changes his religion.” Although various hadith scholars have transmitted this hadith in different parts of the collections, it is generally found under the “Hudûd” section (chapter) within the “Hükm of Mürtedin” subheading (bab). These chapter headings, frequently used by hadith scholars, contain valuable clues for understanding the hadiths and are adopted by many commentators. This hadith, widely accepted as authentic (sahih), serves as a basis for the legal ruling on apostasy, and there is a consensus regarding its theoretical significance. However, consensus on its practical application has not been established. It is understood that there is no contradiction between this hadith and the Quranic verse “There is no compulsion in religion.” In classical understanding, it is interpreted that this verse was either abrogated or explained with a specific context. This study does not aim to cover the entire issue of apostasy in detail but focuses specifically on the place and interpretation of Ibn Abbas’s hadith in the narration sources. To this end, the commentators’ remarks on this hadith, the approach of fuqahâ (Islamic jurists) to the narration, the background of the narration, and whether there was a conflict between this narration and the Quranic verses are examined. The study is limited to classical sources, with direct quotations used extensively to accurately represent the commentators' interpretations.