Age Determination in Conversion to Religion in the View of Islamic Shariah

Abstract

The declaration of age for changing religion is not proved in the Qurʽan, hadith,
and all other Islamic injunctions. A bill was recently introduced for approval in
the Senate and National Assembly of Pakistan titled "Forcible Religious
Conversion." The bill states that a person whose age is below 18 years and
accepts another religion shall not be taken until their parents or any protector
adopt that religion. Similarly, the Sindh assembly in 2016, Uttar Pradesh, the
Indian province, and the Parliament of New Zealand have also passed such a
bill. If we look at such a bill, it opposes Islamic principles and is also against the
laws of an international system like the UN. Because someone is prohibited
from accepting Islam or other religion, they are free and independent. Likewise,
there is no permission for forcible religious conversion, and neither declares
punishment on an individual after accepting another religion. The age
declaration for changing religion is just like an impediment to getting and
spreading Islam. This article will examine whether there is an age limit for
voluntary conversion and what is the rule of international law and Islamic law in
this regard.