On people leaving Islam, Mohd Elfie Nieshaem Juferi's quote of Whoever changes his religion, kill him is chilling. He has ignored the fact that these words could have been said in times of persecution, battles, betrayal and potential assassination.

I list some of such periods in the first 50 years since Nabi (Prophet) Muhammad received his first revelation in Mecca at the end of this letter.

The Prophet and his successors were leading a people - distinguished from others on religious grounds - who were at war against strong opponents. During such times, stringent laws and discipline had to be enforced.

Desertion (or apostasy) could be interpreted as treason or cowardice. Treason could result in the release of vital battle strategies to the enemies. Cowardice could deflate the morale of other warriors. These could eventually result in defeat in battles and the extinction of a newly-revived religion.

So, it was not surprising that desertion then carried the death penalty. This was consistent with wartime penalties enforced during other times as for example, when the Germans and Allied Forces executed people convicted of treason and cowardice during World War II.

In Malaysia, Muslims are not at war with their fellow non-Muslims. Becoming a non-Muslim will not result in the release of secret battle plans or the loss of morale among fighters.

Therefore, there is no need to kill or hassle people who change their faiths in Malaysia. Who knows, some of them may return to their original beliefs with an even stronger devotion.

Thus, Elfie's quote is uncalled for and contradicts those of many respectable scholars who portray Islam as tolerant.

Year

610 - Nabi Muhammad received revelation in Mecca

616 - Meccan persecuted Muslims

622 - Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina

624 - Muslims defeated Meccan at Battle of Badr

625 - Meccan defeated Muslims at Battle of Uhud

627 - Muslims defeated Meccan at Battle of the Trench

630 - Meccan surrendered

632 - Death of Nabi Muhammad. Abu Bakr became the Khalifah (leader)

632-634 - Khalifah Abu Bakr involved in Wars of Riddah uniting Arab tribes, then succeeded by Umar

634-644 - Khalifah Umar invaded Iraq, Syria and Egypt; defeated the mighty Persian Empire

644 - Umar assassinated by a Persian prisoner of war. Uthman became Khalifah

644-650 - Khalifah Uthman conquered Cyprus, Tripoli and established rule in Iran, Afghanistan and Sind

656 - Uthman assassinated by fellow Muslim who supported Ali as Khalifah

656-660 - The first Fitnah (civil war)

656 - Aishah, Nabi Muhammad's wife, rebelled against Khalifah Ali. Ali defeated Aisha in the Battle of the Camel

661 - Ali murdered by fellow unhappy Muslim

(Source: Islam - A Short History . 2002; Phoenix Press).