Is the apostate killed for murdering a Dhimmi?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Wounds

Book 47 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The apostate is killed for murdering a Dhimmi because the apostate is a disbeliever, similar to a native disbeliever (*kaafir asli*). Arguments claiming that certain Islamic rulings remain applicable to the apostate, such as the obligation of worship, are incorrect because their protection (*ismat*) and sanctity have been removed, permitting the marriage of Muslim women to them, the purchase of Muslim slaves, and rendering their worship invalid, among other changes.

Supporting text

Some Shafi'i scholars hold that the apostate is not killed for murdering a Dhimmi, nor is their limb forfeit for severing a limb of a Dhimmi. Their evidence rests on the notion that certain Islamic rulings remain in effect for the apostate, evidenced by the requirement for them to perform acts of worship and the demand for them to return to Islam.