A Response to Those Who Cite the Verse {There is no compulsion in religion} as Evidence for Freedom of Belief

The questioner:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: We hear and read today, in some books and in gatherings, calls for freedom of belief,

The Shaykh:
We ask Allah for safety.

The questioner:
and they cite as evidence for it the saying of Allah the Exalted: So what is the validity

The Shaykh:
of this? Regarding entering into the religion, there is no compulsion; but as for leaving it, that is a capital offense because it is corruption. He has become a corrupter who acknowledged the truth of Islam and then turned away from it. This is an insult to the creed, and he is an example for others, so the matter is settled and he is killed if he does not repent. He is given the chance to repent; if he repents, well and good, otherwise he is killed. The idea of freedom of religions is a false statement. If freedom of religions were prescribed, the Messengers would not have been sent and the Books would not have been revealed, nor would there have been the refutation of shirk (associating partners with Allah), the jihad against the mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah), or the killing of the disbelievers. The second point is that people say, "People are free; there is no need to send Messengers, no need to reveal Books, no need for jihad, and no need for..." Let people be left to their beliefs. This is a false statement, and we seek refuge in Allah. This is ilhad (deviation). We ask Allah for safety. Yes. Their freedom is only if they pay the jizyah (tax on protected non-Muslims), enter under the rule of Islam, and accept humiliation. Then they agree to freedom of their religion. Yes.