The Epistemological Evolution of Apostasy
From Theological to Sociological Meaning in the Trajectory of Islamic Intellectual History
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30651/ah.v11i2.26459Keywords:
Apostasy, Murtad, Islamic Thought, Epistemology, Sociology of Religion, Theologi, HermeneuticsAbstract
The concept of murtad (apostasy) in Islam has undergone a significant epistemological transformation throughout the course of Islamic intellectual history. Initially framed within a theological-doctrinal paradigm, apostasy was understood as an act of disbelief and betrayal of the Muslim community (ummah), often met with severe punitive responses grounded in classical jurisprudence. Over time, however, particularly in modern and contemporary contexts, this understanding has shifted toward a more sociological perspective. Apostasy is now increasingly interpreted through lenses of individual autonomy, identity transformation, and the interplay between religious authority and state power. This study traces the epistemological evolution of apostasy, from classical fiqh and kalam discourses to modern critical and humanistic interpretations. Utilizing a historical-hermeneutic approach combined with discourse analysis, the paper argues that the concept of murtad is not epistemologically static but contextually dynamic, shaped by the sociopolitical and cultural shifts within Muslim societies across different historical periods.
Keywords: apostasy, murtad, Islamic thought, epistemology, sociology of religion, theologi, hermeneutics
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