In a statement that has stirred debate across religious and human rights circles, Dr. Ibrahim Jalingo, an Islamic scholar and National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, has publicly supported the death penalty for individuals who renounce Islam. The cleric made this declaration in a strongly worded Facebook post shared on Thursday, framing his position within Islamic jurisprudence and Hadith tradition.
Breaking his silence amid ongoing criticism of Hadith authenticity, Jalingo addressed a specific narration which prescribes capital punishment for apostasy. He dismissed those challenging the Hadith as lacking in both theological and intellectual understanding, accusing them of spreading “compound ignorance.”
Hadiths—documented sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—hold a revered place in Islamic tradition, second only to the Qur’an. Jalingo emphasized their divine origin, asserting that their authority is not subordinate to the Qur’an but complementary in religious rulings and interpretation.
Citing a controversial Hadith that states, “Whoever changes his religion, kill him,” Jalingo responded to a critic identified as Issiyaku Abdulkadir, who had raised questions about the alignment of such narrations with Qur’anic teachings. The cleric seized the opportunity to launch a detailed defense of Hadith legitimacy, positioning himself as a guardian of orthodox Islamic knowledge.
Reinforcing the sanctity of Hadith, Jalingo argued that both the Qur’an and Hadith were revealed by God, with the latter often providing essential elaboration where the Qur’an offers general guidance. He quoted the Prophet as saying, “Indeed, I was given the Qur’an and something like it alongside it,” to underscore the divine equivalency of both sources.
In defense of his stance, Jalingo referenced several Qur’anic verses, including Surah At-Tawbah 9:5 and Surah An-Nisa’ 4:89 and 4:91, which he interpreted as supportive of punitive measures against apostates and polytheists. He also pointed to Surah Al-Baqarah 2:193, framing the directive to “fight them until there is no more fitnah” as further justification for the execution of those who leave Islam.
Responding to critics who invoked the Qur’anic verse “There is no compulsion in religion,” Jalingo argued that this principle had been nullified by later verses and Hadith. He claimed that the legal ruling of religious freedom was abrogated (naskh), a concept accepted in traditional Islamic scholarship.
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In a harsh conclusion, the cleric took aim at his detractors, using derogatory language and character attacks. He likened their arguments to those of “prostitutes and effeminate men,” signaling what appears to be a deeply personal frustration with opposing viewpoints.
The post has since gone viral on social media platforms, eliciting a spectrum of reactions. While a segment of Jalingo’s followers applauded his unwavering defense of orthodox teachings, others—both within and outside the Muslim community—condemned the remarks as inflammatory and counterproductive to interfaith harmony and human rights discourse.
