May One Prevent a Return to Islam After Apostasy

Question

A Muslim woman entered into an illicit relationship with a Hindu man and lived with him for several years. The Muslims restrained her from this evil deed, but she would not listen to a single word, refused outright, and went on living with that Hindu. Now, for some days, she has been gravely ill, and at this hour she wishes to repent and become a Muslim. The question is: is there now scope for her to accept Islam or not?

Answer

If she wishes to accept Islam again, no obstacle whatsoever should be placed in her way. No one has the right to prevent anyone from accepting Islam. Those people who forbid her to accept Islam are in the gravest danger — their own Islam is in a bad way: to be pleased with another’s kufr and apostasy is itself kufr and apostasy (may Allah protect us!).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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