Is it true that there were apostates during the time of the Prophet whom he did not order to be killed, and that the hadiths about killing apostates were for political reasons related to destabilizing the state? And is it true that Umar ibn al-Khattab changed the punishment for apostasy from execution to imprisonment, and how did he convince the apostate to recant his apostasy?

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded the killing of an apostate, and scholars have agreed upon this, differing only on the matter of giving them a chance to repent.

It did not occur during the Prophet's era that an apostate remained openly apostate without punishment. As for the apostates who fled and joined the disbelievers, some were not killed because they could not be apprehended, unless they repented and returned, while others were killed when it was possible to do so.

As for Omar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, he affirmed the killing of an apostate. What has been reported from him about imprisoning them was for the purpose of giving them a chance to repent before killing them.

If the reason for apostasy is desires, the apostate should be advised and reminded of the consequences, without despairing. If it is due to misconceptions, they should be guided to someone among the people of knowledge who can dispel their misconceptions, or to scholarly materials that address them, while avoiding argumentation with those who hold misconceptions if one is not qualified, for fear of being influenced by them. One should also pray for their guidance.