Is it permissible for a person to say that he is not a Muslim out of fear of death, and does this fall under His — Exalted be He — saying: "except for him who is compelled thereto while his heart is at ease with faith"?

It is permissible to utter words of disbelief under duress to ward off harm and injury, provided that the heart remains firm in faith. This is an agreed-upon position, based on verse 106 of Surah An-Nahl, the story of Ammar ibn Yasir, and the consensus of scholars. The accepted form of duress is compelling duress, such as a threat of death or severe harm. It is also a condition that the coercer be capable and the coerced be unable to defend themselves. Although it is permissible to take advantage of this concession, patience and steadfastness in faith, even if it leads to death, is better, especially for people of knowledge and those who serve as role models. This does not contradict the hadiths that urge against associating partners with Allah, even if one is cut into pieces, because those hadiths are a guidance towards what is better and more resolute.