Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo, a prominent Islamic cleric and National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, has publicly endorsed the death penalty for individuals who abandon the Islamic faith.
In a statement posted Thursday on his official Facebook page, Jalingo cited a Hadith that prescribes capital punishment for apostates, calling it authentic and consistent with Qur’anic teachings.
He also took a swipe at critics who question the Hadith, branding them as possessing “compound ignorance.”
His comments came in response to growing debates online, where some critics claim the Hadith contradicts the Qur’an.
But Jalingo remained resolute, emphasizing the Hadith’s credibility.
“The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Whoever changes his religion, kill him.’ This is not contradictory to the Qur’an,” Jalingo wrote. “Allah Himself said in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 5: ‘Kill the polytheists wherever you find them.’”
He also referenced Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 193 “Fight them until there is no more fitnah (disbelief and oppression)” and Surah An-Nisa’, verses 89 and 91, both of which contain instructions to “kill them wherever you find them.”
Jalingo dismissed a popular verse that states “There is no compulsion in religion,” claiming it has been superseded.
“The ruling in that verse has been abrogated by later revelations and the Hadith itself,” he declared.
Further defending the divine origin of Hadith, he wrote: “The Prophet said, ‘Indeed, I was given the Qur’an and something like it along with it.’ The Hadith is also revelation from Allah. It often elaborates on points that are only briefly addressed in the Qur’an.”
In a scathing remark, he attacked his critics, saying: “This individual’s ignorance is so severe that his behavior mirrors that of prostitutes and effeminate men. These fabricators are simply spreading misinformation.”
His post, which has gone viral, has stirred intense debate on social media, with supporters applauding his bold stance and opponents warning that such views could incite violence and deepen religious divisions.