Imâm Sâlih bin Fawzân al-Fawzân
Question: What is the islamic ruling regarding the one who denies the punishment for apostasy?
Answer: If he denies it while knowing the authentic evidence for it, he is considered to be a disbeliever. If he, however, denies it out of ignorance, or because he is under the influence of speeches of these people – he is excused. Nevertheless, he must ask and not remain ignorant. He therefore needs to ask.