I had made the observation that (Malay) Muslim apostates lived in a state of suspended animation, with Islam saying on one hand they are free to change their religion on their own volition, but on the other, the Syariah law stating they may lose their lives should they do so.

The operating principle seems to be - 'Islam stands for the freedom of religion but if its own adherents choose to leave it, they will be punished, or even be put to death.'

I sense an inherent contradiction here.

This contradiction being pretty obvious, I had to seek clarification on Islam's ruling on apostasy - does this great religion allow apostasy, or does it not? Within the parameters of human reasoning and logic only one rule can prevail, not both at the same time.

I had offered a possible interpretation - that Islam does allow for apostasy, but its very dogmatic adherents and sentinels have narrowly interpreted its teachings by imposing rigid conditions.

I read with bemusement Zahid Abbas' quick response to my observation. His latest letter went along the same lines, that there is nothing wrong with Islam or with any religion for that matter. It is the adherents, the believers of religions who are wrong. I appreciate his sugar-coated explanation.

But sadly, he does not identify who these 'believers' are who have created a contradictory situation. Does he refer to the apostate who wishes to leave, or the narrow-minded adherent who might have created the conditions making it tough, and even impossible, for the apostate to leave? To me at least, the contradiction remains unresolved.

But I know the contradiction is still there, and it has to be resolved. It has something to do with the human mind wishing to seek truth. Truth is analogous to good health. There is only one good health but many thousands of illnesses. Similarly, there is only one truth but many speculations and approximations.

Also when ill, we need to secure medicine to come back to good health. But we resort to rationalisation, guesses, suppositions to cover the open gap between approximation and truth.

In the process of covering up, we may fall under the temptation of lies, compromises and deceits. We may become intellectually dishonest.

So, back to the quest for truth about apostasy - is there freedom of religion in Islam? I had committed myself to state: Yes, there is, on the authority of Surah 2.256 of the Quran that says very clearly, 'Let there be no compulsion in religion'.

I had also mentioned that the Federal Court agrees to this postulation, and so does Zahid. The truth therefore is that a Muslim can be free to renounce his religion.

What about the punishment meted out to Muslim apostates?

On this point I am not prepared to commit any categorical view, for I am not a religious scholar or imam. I am a mere Encik Ordinary Man - orang biasa - and I remember my ustaz always reminding me not to make any religious comments because of this deficiency.

I had hinted, though, that the punishment could be carried out by overzealous believers who go overboard in their effort to protect the sanctity, integrity and prestige of Islam. I seek confirmation from qualified religious authorities whether or not there can be some substance or truth here.

If the answer is in the positive, I feel entitled to ask this question: are their actions not contradictory to the original postulation that Islam allows for freedom of belief, even to the extent of nullifying the principles of religious freedom?

I can see that if the answer is a yes, then Islamic scholars and spiritual leaders must acknowledge this overzealousness, and correct it.

If the answer is a no, then skeptics will tend to describe Islam as a religion with contradictions. This negative reputation will in the long-term erode the sanctity, integrity and prestige of Islam which its adherents were determined to protect in the first place.

Either way, this thorny issue should be discussed in the open. Admittedly it is not easy, given the sensitive nature of any discussion on Islam in this religion-conscious country.

But there again, nothing is easy anymore in this complex world.