Imposing the Hadd of Riddah on someone who has previously apostatized

Q 4: Should the Hadd (ordained punishment for violating Allah’s Law) be imposed retrospectively upon a person who committed apostasy? I mean if a Muslim committed a sin in the past which rendered him an apostate, and he repented to Allah (Exalted be He), should he receive the Hadd, because of his apostasy in the past? It should be noted that his apostasy was in a country that does not apply the rulings of Shari`ah. Is his repentance sufficient for the forgiveness of his sin of apostasy and canceling the Hadd?

A: It is not permissible to impose the Hadd of apostasy on the person who leaves Islam then returns to it in repentance; because the Hadd is only applied to an apostate who insists on apostasy. The repentance of an apostate nullifies what was done before it. This is according to the evidence from the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the sayings reported from the Prophet). (Part No. 22; Page No. 237) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.