Question:
This message is also related to the previous one, sent by a student who says: “I am the student Saad Saud.” In fact, the letter is very long, but perhaps summarizing it would be more appropriate. He says: “My classmates and I are complaining to you about our teacher, who enters our classroom and says to us, ‘Peace be upon the apes.’ When we protest against him, he brings up the story of Freud and says, ‘This is your origin and mine, and there is no escape for us from this origin.’ Note that our teacher appears arrogant, wears long clothes, and has long hair and long nails. What should our stance be toward this teacher, may Allah grant you success? Note that he did not specify his country, village, or anything of that sort.”
Answer:
This man’s admission regarding himself—that he is among the apes—is accepted. However, his claim that others are apes is rejected. It was previously explained that believing the origin of man is an ape constitutes kufr (disbelief) in Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; because it is a denial of the Holy Qur’an and what the Muslims have unanimously agreed upon. In fact, it is even contrary to what people agree upon today, as it has become clear that this theory is corrupt, false, and has no basis in truth.
As for this teacher remaining a teacher in this school, it is not permissible to allow him to continue. The school principal must report him to his superiors so that he may be removed and dismissed from the field of teaching. He must also be monitored outside of school so that he does not mislead the people. If he corrects himself and adheres to the truth, then that is what is sought, and it is a mercy from Allah to him and to the people; otherwise, it is necessary to take measures against him to prevent his corruption, even if it leads to execution.
Questioner:
So, is it permissible to kill him in this case?
The Shaykh:
If his harm cannot be repelled except by that—and this is a great harm because it is a denial of the Holy Qur’an—and this man has become a caller to this atheism and disbelief, then he must be killed; because he is an apostate (murtad), and the apostate must be killed.