An analysis of apostasy/irtidād: considerations for Muslims in contemporary Western societies

In this article I analyse the issue of apostasy – irtidād – as related to Muslims living as minorities in contemporary Western societies. I demonstrate that, contrary to a widely held belief, there is no clearly defined penalty for the act of apostasy qua apostasy that finds justification in the Qurʾan itself. There are, however, clear precedents for penalties being imposed for apostasy in early Islamic discourse under the condition of fitna, a contested term, which I show has some resonance for Muslims living as minorities in contemporary Western societies.