Simple reason why I cannot support Dr. Hassan Saeed

The following is an excerpt from the book "Freedom of religion, apostasy and Islam" by Prof. Abdhulla Saeed and Dr. Hassan Saeed

"The law of apostasy had become one of the non-negotiable aspects of Islamic law, much like the prescribed punishment (hudud) specified in the Quran for theft or fornication. However, those punishments at least have Quranic support, whereas the punishment of apostasy does not, as this book argues. It is largely based on a number of isolated traditions of the Prophet (hadith ahad) or their interpretations."

I object to their work and I object to their demeaning words regarding the Quran and the Sunnah

...................................................

The following Hadith is narrated by Imam Bukhari (no 6922)

Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever changes his religion, put him to death.” 

The following Hadith is narrated by Imam Bukhari (6484) and Imam muslim Muslim (1676)

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness that there is no god except Allaah and that I am the Messenger of Allaah, except in one of three cases: a soul for a soul (i.e., in the case of murder); a previously-married person who commits zina; and one who leaves his religion and separates from the main body of the Muslims.”

Surah An-Nisa, Ayah no 80 reveals

"He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad (saw)), has indeed obeyed Allâh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad (saw)) as a watcher over them"

And in Sahih Bukhari

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allah's Messenger (saw) said "All my followers will enter paradise except those who refuse". They said, "O Allah's Messenger! Who will refuse?" He said, "Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it)."

My Comment: How do we obey our messenger? By obeying his statements and his actions. Where do we learn these statements and actions? From the Hadith which were collected by the scholars. And which is the most authentic book on Hadith? It is unanimously agreed that Bukhari's work is the most authentic of all hadith literature put together. Therefore it has been traditionally agreed upon among all the Sunni Islamic scholars that each and every Hadith in this book is without doubt, authentic and can be used to decide matters of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) concerning religious obligations, Haraam and Halal actions etc, by taking evidence from this book.

To have an own belief is one thing, but to cast doubt in people's mind regarding Islamic rulings, I cannot accept that. It is reckless, and opens up to fitnah and innovations in religion. I strongly object to the Saeed brother's attempt to weaken our religion.

Now here is a question for you. Who do you think would want to prove that apostasy does not deserve the punishment prescribed in Islam? Who do you think would benefit from it? Not the existing Muslims, not the Christians, Jews or Buddhists; they are not Muslims yet. And why is Hassan Saeed so eager to prove it?

Remember when Maumoon was so eager to prove that this was a new constitution and not an old one? What was the reason for it? The reason was that Maumoon was the sole benefactor.