Recently many modern Muslim Scholars argue that Muslims have the right of religious freedom based on the the Quranic verse "La ikraaha fiddin"(There shall be no compulsion in religion). Thus, Muslims can denounce his/her religion and become an apostate. The modern Muslim scholar also argue that the apostate person cannot be punished either by Hadd punishment (corporeal punishment) or ta'zir (punishment for doing wrong act) . In a country where Muslim people are dominant and control the ruling government but at the same time it applies pluralism (other religions may be practiced peacefully) what is the status of the apostate people? Can they be punished (if not by hadd punishment but by ta'zir punishment) by the government?

In Islam, applying the prescribed penalty [hadd] of apostasy is linked to high treason and not merely by changing one’s religious conviction and altering his belief. This is based on the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him), "It is not permissible to spill the blood of a Muslim except in three [instances]: a life for a life, a married person who commits adultery, and one who forsakes his religion and separates from the community" [Muslim].