At the age of fifteen, I committed masturbation during the day in Ramadan. Out of ignorance and fear, I said that I was a disbeliever, then intended to 're-enter' Islam so that the expiation would no longer apply. Now, years later, I feel deep guilt and fear that what I said might be considered apostasy that requires the legal punishment. Is my repentance accepted? And does what I said count as apostasy that warrants the death penalty?

"Praise be to Allah. Satan adorns falsehood for man until he leads him into shirk (definition) (polytheism), just like one who seeks refuge from the hot sun by plunging into the fire. The prohibited trick does not suffice an obligation nor does it permit a forbidden act. And whoever approaches disbelief does not guarantee repentance; they may die upon it and then dwell eternally in the fire.

Complete repentance is to increase good deeds such as remembrance, the Quran, seeking forgiveness, gaining knowledge, and giving charity.

The punishment for an apostate is death, but it is waived by repentance and returning to Islam. As for masturbation during the day of Ramadan (definition), it invalidates the fast and necessitates only makeup (of the fast), without the expiation that is required for sexual intercourse."