The news of Rahaf Mohammad Alqunun’s plight left me shocked and saddened. She fled abuse from her family and feared for her life as she had renounced Islam and in Saudi Arabia the one who apostatizes is sentenced to death. She had no other recourse but to run away from her family and her country.
The Holy Qur’an has no mention of any worldly punishment for apostasy. On the other hand it states, “Those who believe, then disbelieve, then again believe, then disbelieve and thereafter go on increasing in disbelief, God will never forgive them, nor guide them to any way of deliverance” (4.138). This verse makes it clear that those who turn away from Islam do not suffer any punishment in this world. The consequence of apostasy is that the individual will not be forgiven nor will they receive any guidance from God .
I feel extremely disappointed and heartbroken because of the way a so-called Islamic country, Saudi Arabia, has misinterpreted Shariah law. They have built a society that places a lot of restrictions on women. As an Ahmadi Muslim woman I can confidently and proudly say that true peaceful Islamic teachings have granted utmost respect and freedom to women. The true teachings, if understood correctly, can clearly show the beautiful meaning and the logic behind these teachings.
Islam, which granted women equal rights 1400 years ago, never condones mistreatment of women.The Holy Prophet Muhammad ( peace and blessings of God be upon him) emphasized that “the pursuit of knowledge is a duty for every Muslim, man and woman.” True teachings of Islam highlight the importance of women’s consent for marriage and it gives women the right to divorce her husband if she wants to. In the Holy Qur’an men and women are mentioned side by side, “Whoso does good whether male or female, and is a believer, shall enter Paradise and they shall not be wronged a whit” (4:125).
The Islam practiced by extremists is not the Islam of Holy Qur’an or of Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). I hope people can see things justly and not blame Islam for what extremists do. Islam is a religion of peace that is beautifully summarized in the motto of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, “Love For All, Hatred for None.”
