Rereading the Evidences for the Punishment of Hadd Al-Qatl (Death Penalty) in the Context of Doubt Regarding Prophethood (A Critical Reading in the Standards of Islamic Jurisprudence)

The issue of prophethood is one of the fundamental principles of Islam, and due to its position in Islam, there have always been individuals in societies who have tried to create doubts among Muslims about the honesty of the Prophet and his prophethood. This issue is still prevalent today. In this descriptive-analytical study, the approach of the Imami criminal jurisprudence regarding doubts about prophethood is explained. For this purpose, after stating the opinions on the issue, the evidence and foundations of each opinion have been analyzed and examined. The result is that although some jurists have absolutely believed in the proof of the death penalty for doubts about prophethood, their documents do not have the ability to prove their claim. Rather, in case of the title of apostasy being applied to the one with doubts about prophethood, he can be sentenced to the prescribed legal limits. Otherwise, the Islamic government must take the necessary and appropriate measures to remove doubts.