Hazrat Makharraq narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed Muhammad bin Abi Bakr as the governor of Egypt. Muhammad wrote a letter to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked him about the Zanaadiqah: some of them worship the sun and the moon, some worship things other than these, and some claim to be Muslims. What is the ruling regarding them? Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote a letter and instructed him regarding the Zanaadiqah: kill those among them who claim to be Muslims, and leave the rest; let them worship whomever they wish.

Hazrat Ikrimah narrates that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) received news that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) had captured some heretics and burned them. So he said: As far as I am concerned, I would not punish them with the punishment of Allah, and if I were in that position, I would have killed them. Because of the hadith of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Whoever changes his religion, kill him.

Hazrat Ibn Ubaid bin Abrasi narrates that a man was brought to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), son of Abu Talib, who was a Christian. Then he accepted Islam, and then he adopted Christianity again. The narrator says that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him about this matter, and he informed him. So Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up towards him and kicked him on his chest, and the people also stood up and began to beat him until they killed him.

Hazrat Abu al-Tufail narrates: I was in the army which Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ibn Abi Talib sent towards Banu Najiyah. He says: When we reached them, we found those people in three groups. Our commander asked one of the groups: What is your situation? They said: We were Christians and did not consider any religion better than our own, so we remained steadfast upon it. Upon this, the commander said: Separate yourselves. Then he asked another group: What is your situation? They said: We were Christians, then we accepted Islam and remained steadfast upon Islam. So the commander said: You also separate yourselves. Then the commander asked the third group: What is your situation? They said: We were Christians, then we accepted Islam, then we turned back. We did not consider any religion better than our first religion, so we adopted Christianity. So the commander said to them: Accept Islam. Those people refused, so the commander said to his companions: When I pass my hand over my head three times, attack them. So they did so, killed those who fought, and took their children captive.

Hazrat Tawus narrates that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: Do not let Jews and Christians stay with you in one place unless they accept Islam. So, if any of them accepts Islam and then becomes an apostate, do not kill him except by striking his neck.

Hasan narrates that it is reported from Ibn Abi Layla about a man who had stolen from the Ka'bah. He said: The punishment of cutting the hand will not be carried out on him.

Hazrat Ata, Hazrat Mujahid, Hazrat Dahhak, and Hasan Basri — all these personalities said regarding the one who fights: The ruler has authority concerning him.

30957 - From Layth, from Ata and Mujahid.

30958 - Wujaybir from al-Dahhak.

30959 - And Abi Hurrah from Al-Hasan that they said: Regarding the highwayman, the imam has the choice in it.