The short answer
People leave Islam, as they leave every religion, and the Qur’an addresses the possibility in several places, speaking of those who turn back after believing. In each case it describes loss and judgement in the life to come; it prescribes no earthly punishment and states that there is no compulsion in religion. On the evidence of the Qur’an, leaving Islam is a matter between a person and God.
A little more context
Classical Islamic law, drawing on certain hadith and on the context of early wars in which apostasy meant joining the enemy, prescribed the death penalty for public apostasy by men, and this remains the law in a small number of countries. Many contemporary scholars argue that those rulings concerned treason rather than belief, and that freedom of religion is the Qur’anic position. This is a live debate within Islam and a source of real suffering for some who leave, which an honest introduction should acknowledge rather than hide.
Sources & further reading
- Qur’an 2:256 No compulsion in religion.
- Qur’an 4:137 Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe, then disbelieve.
- Qur’an 3:86-90 Those who disbelieve after believing, and the door of repentance.
- Qur’an 18:29 Let whoever wills believe, and whoever wills disbelieve.
Original introductory summary, not a direct scripture translation. Prepared 21 October 2026. Qualified human religious review is pending. About our editorial approach.