Accepting Islaam After Leaving its Fold

Q: Imaan-92 : A man who was born in a Muslim home lived as a Muslim for 45 years and even dutifully served as a Mu'adhin. He then (Allaah forbid!) became a Murtad (left the fold of Islaam) and became a leader of the Buddhist religion. After spending six years in this state of darkness, he repented and was once again blessed with Islaam. While it is true that all the past sins are forgiven of a person who enters the fold of Islaam, will such a person also be forgiven who became a Murtad, committed acts of Shirk, ate Haraam food, propagated the Buddhist religion and then was once again blessed with Islaam? What is the method of readmitting such a person to the fold of Islaam?

Answer: When a person accepts Islaam, all his previous sins are forgiven. While there is no need to execute such a person when he is a Kaafir, the sin of the Murtad is much more severe and under Islaamic law (in an Islaamic state), it is necessary to execute him if he refuses to re-enter the fold of Islaam after all his misgivings about Islaam have been addressed.

If the person in question is truly repentant, feels heartfelt remorse, has expressed that he has nothing to do with the other religion, recites the Kalimah Shahaadah with sincerity and repents tearfully for his sin for the rest of his life, there is hope that Allaah will accept his repentance and forgive all his sins. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah (Vol.1)