Re: The punishment of apostate
In a lecture that I listened to know, it was said that this ayat applies to religion in general, as in all religions. It is not laa ikraha fil Islam, if it were then it would mean that there is no compulsion in Islam. But the use of the word deen means that there is no compulsion in all religions. We cannot compel non Muslim, nor other Muslims. Nor are non-Muslims to compel us.
Surah Kafiroon says “Say, Oh disbelievers…I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshipers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshiper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshipers of what I worship. For you is your religion and for me is my religion.”
If poor examples of Muslim leaders are going to be used, why not positive examples. Are there not Islamic nations where People of other faiths are living alongside Muslims? There are millions of Coptic Christians in Egypt. If Islam is a religion of compulsion, would they even be there? No. Muslims ruled Spain for centuries and did not compel the people to convert. Later on they were wiped out by the Christian Crusaders. Was every country that is predominantly Muslim invaded by a Muslim army? There are positive and negative examples throughout history, but maybe those with an agenda only want to focus on the negative.