Prophet Mohammed said if anyone leaves Islam, kill him (Quote and cite references) but many pe

The statement you referred to regarding apostasy in Islam is a topic of significant debate and interpretation among scholars and within the Muslim community. The common reference cited on this issue is a hadith (saying of the Prophet Muhammad) found in several collections. One frequently cited hadith on apostasy is reported in Sahih Bukhari: - **Sahih Bukhari, Book 88, Hadith 5:** > "Narrated Ikrimah: Ali burnt some people and this news reached Ibn Abbas. He said, 'If I had been in his place, I would not have burned them, for the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Do not punish with Allah's punishment.' I would have killed them, for the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.'" Other sources sometimes interpreted similarly include hadith from Sahih Muslim and other compilations. However, it's important to note the context of these statements. Islamic scholars and jurists have different opinions regarding their interpretations, contexts, and applications in the modern world. The debate around apostasy is complex and varies widely among different Islamic traditions and communities. Some schools of thought argue for severe punishments based on these hadiths, while others advocate for a more lenient or non-punitive approach to apostasy, focusing on compassion, freedom of belief, and personal conscience. In contemporary discussions, many Muslims emphasize ideals of religious tolerance and freedom, reflecting a belief that faith should be a personal choice rather than a matter of coercion. For an in-depth understanding, it is recommended to approach the study of Islamic teachings with consideration of the historical contexts, the diversity of interpretations, and contemporary Islamic thought.