Freedom to Believe

Muslims are not allowed to convert from Islam. Sharia prescribes death for adult male apostates and imposes other penalties on those who leave Islam. This book raises awareness of Islam’s apostasy law and promotes the case for its repeal. It discusses Islamic teaching on apostasy, the debate amongst Muslims, and the treatment of converts.

Islam is a one-way street. Non-Muslims can convert to Islam, but Muslims are not allowed to convert from Islam. All schools of sharia specify the death penalty for an adult male Muslim who leaves Islam, and the law imposes many other penalties on apostates. This book is written to raise awareness of Islam’s apostasy law and promote the case for its repeal. It looks at apostasy in the Islamic texts, the debate amongst Muslims about the law, and the treatment of converts from Islam today.

Patrick Sookhdeo studied at London Bible College, later obtaining a Ph.D. at London University. For 23 years he was involved in pastoral, church planting and training ministry in the East End of London. He is the International Director of Barnabas Fund which works in 80 countries, Dean Theologian of the Diocese of Abuja in Nigeria and non-residentiary Canon of Peshawar Diocese, Pakistan. He is also a senior adviser and consultant on security and military issues. Lecturer and author of 25 books.