A true Muslim, by definition, is the one who submits to God consciously and willingly.
Consciousness refers to the recognition of the truth by the soul, whereas willingness is the soul’s acknowledgement of the truth through internal and external actions.
The Quran makes it very clear to all mankind that there is no compulsion in religion (Islam), which means, as long as there is compulsion, there is no true submission, i.e., Islam.
Compulsion is a condition when one acts contrary to his will; it means lack of conscience, and resolve.
Islam ultimately is what an individual desires for himself or herself, not what the family or the society desires of him or her.
Being a Muslim is not an inherited social status; it is rather a state of the soul, and no external authority can make it exist or disappear.
Hence, he in whom Islam never takes hold, has never been a Muslim regardless of whether his name is Muhammad or Abdullah.
Apostasy will never happen to a true Muslim. It only “happens” to one who has never been a Muslim.
Having said that, the true solution to the problem of apostasy is to have a proper education for the Muslim community.
- DR SYED ALI TAWFIK AL-ATTAS AND MD ASHAM AHMAD
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