What is meant by "their repentance is not accepted" mentioned by Sheikh Al-Islam in his ruling on the Druze that they are "heretical apostates whose repentance is not accepted; rather, they are to be killed wherever they are found"?

A zindiq is a hypocrite who conceals atheistic or infidel beliefs while outwardly displaying Islam. The Druze have been described as zindīqs. The acceptance of a zindiq's repentance has two meanings:

1. Not punishing him with death in this world: If the ruler apprehends him and he declares repentance after being captured: Scholars differ on this. Some believe he should be executed because his repentance is not certain and he conceals his disbelief. Others accept his repentance based on the general legal texts concerning the acceptance of a disbeliever's repentance. If the zindiq initiates repentance voluntarily before being apprehended: His repentance is accepted by the majority of scholars, and he is not to be killed. There is no disagreement on this point.

2. The acceptance of the zindiq's repentance by Allah Almighty: The legal texts are explicit regarding the acceptance of the repentance of disbelievers, including hypocrites and apostates, if they repent sincerely and reform, as mentioned in Surahs Al-Imran and An-Nisa. The disagreement among jurists is concerning the acceptance of their repentance in worldly rulings (sparing their lives), but there is no disagreement regarding Allah's acceptance of their repentance inwardly.