The Response to Those Who Cite Allah’s Saying, “There is no compulsion in religion,” to Argue That the Punishment for Apostasy is Political Rather Than Religious

Question:
May Allah reward you. The questioner asks: What is the ruling on the one who says that the punishment for apostasy is a political penalty and not a religious one, citing the saying of Allah the Exalted:

Answer:
The punishment for apostasy is established by scholarly consensus and authentic hadiths, and the statements of these people do not affect it. It is agreed upon by scholars. His saying refers to entering the faith. No one is compelled to enter Islam. Entry is voluntary.
However, if he enters it, knows that it is the truth, acknowledges it, and then abandons it, this harms the creed. This corrupts the creed, and others will follow his example, so he must be killed. For this reason, people will follow your example and return from the religion of Islam. This is like the Jews and Christians who say that the punishment is not carried out on the apostate and that this is a political matter. This is a religious matter, not a political one. This is protection of the creed, and protecting the creed is the first of the five necessities. The first of the five necessities is protecting the creed from recklessness and play. Yes.