37/14. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4063 — Al-Hasan's Report on Apostasy
The Ruling on Apostates
Apostasy Hadith Narrated by Al-Hasan
Sunan an-Nasai : 4063
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4063
أَخْبَرَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ بَدَّلَ دِينَهُ فَاقْتُلُوهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وَهَذَا أَوْلَى بِالصَّوَابِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ عَبَّادٍ .
Al-Hasan Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Whoever changes his religion, kill him.'
[1] That is, the previous narration.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4063In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 98English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4068
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4063
This apostasy hadith is reported from Al-Hasan and contains the same brief Prophetic statement about changing religion. The text is very short, but the final note says that this route is considered closer to what is correct than the preceding report through Abbad. That detail matters because it shows the compiler comparing chains and identifying the stronger form of transmission. The core message remains the legal wording attributed to the Messenger of Allah. Since the narration does not explain court process, proof, repentance, or political circumstances, those matters should not be presented as though they are written here. According to Islamic scholars, penal rulings are handled by lawful courts and qualified authorities, not by private individuals.
What we learn from this hadith
- The compiler compares chains and points to the report he considers more accurate.
- The central text is a brief legal statement on changing religion.
- Details not mentioned in the narration should not be inserted into it.
- Chain analysis is part of careful hadith study.
