Whenever I tell you a narration from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), by Allah, I would rather fall down from the sky than ascribe a false statement to him, but if I tell you something between me and you (not a Hadith) then it was indeed a trick (i.e., I may say things just to cheat my enemy). No doubt I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "During the last days there will appear some young foolish people who will say the best words but their faith will not go beyond their throats (i.e. they will have no faith) and will go out from (leave) their religion as an arrow goes out of the game. So, where-ever you find them, kill them, for who-ever kills them shall have reward on the Day of Resurrection."
Exposition of Hadith on Apostates
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6930, transmitted by the esteemed companion Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, concerns the ruling regarding apostates who abandon Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described a group of people whose speech appears righteous but whose faith is superficial, not penetrating their hearts.
Context and Conditions
The command to kill applies specifically to those who publicly renounce Islam after having embraced it, wage war against the Muslim community, and cause corruption in the land. This is not applicable to mere sinners or those with weak faith but who still maintain their Islamic identity.
The comparison to an arrow leaving its prey emphasizes the speed and finality with which these individuals abandon their religion. Their eloquent speech serves as deception, masking their inner disbelief.
Legal Ruling and Implementation
This ruling falls under the jurisdiction of the Islamic state and its legitimate authorities. It is not for individuals to implement based on personal judgment. The prescribed punishment serves as a protection for the religious community and a deterrent against public apostasy that threatens social order.
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani clarify that this punishment applies only after proper judicial proceedings where the apostate is offered repentance and clarification of Islamic teachings.
Transmitter's Integrity
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri's solemn oath regarding the accuracy of his transmission demonstrates the meticulous care the companions took in preserving the Prophet's exact words, distinguishing them from their own strategic statements during warfare.