An ally of Bani Zuhra who took part in the battle of Badr with the Prophet, that he said, "O Allah's
Apostle! If I meet an unbeliever and we have a fight, and he strikes my hand with the sword and cuts
it off, and then takes refuge from me under a tree, and says, 'I have surrendered to Allah (i.e.
embraced Islam),' may I kill him after he has said so?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Do not kill him." Al-
Miqdad said, "But O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He had chopped off one of my hands and he said that after he
had cut it off. May I kill him?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said. "Do not kill him for if you kill him, he would be in
the position in which you had been before you kill him, and you would be in the position in which he
was before he said the sentence." The Prophet (ﷺ) also said to Al-Miqdad, "If a faithful believer conceals
his faith (Islam) from the disbelievers, and then when he declares his Islam, you kill him, (you will be
sinful). Remember that you were also concealing your faith (Islam) at Mecca before."
Narrated by Narrated Al-Miqdad bin `Amr Al-Kindi:
Context
In this hadith, Al-Miqdad bin `Amr Al-Kindi, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, inquires about the permissibility of killing an enemy who, after inflicting serious harm, claims to have embraced Islam. The Prophet ﷺ firmly instructs him not to kill the man, emphasizing the importance of the man's declaration of faith and reminding Al-Miqdad of his own past when he concealed his faith. This highlights themes of mercy and the sanctity of life, even in the heat of conflict.
Modern Application
This principle teaches us the importance of respecting others' declarations of faith and the gravity of taking a life. In today's context, it encourages us to engage with compassion and understanding, especially towards those who may have previously opposed us or held different beliefs.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Moral Responsibility and Punishments (Hudud) because it emphasizes the moral obligation to respect a person's declaration of faith and the consequences of wrongful actions.
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah - never will He waste their deeds.
And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth, having driven out the Prophet and yourselves [only] because you believe in Allah, your Lord. If you have come out for jihad in My cause and seeking means to My approval, [take them not as friends]. You confide to them affection, but I am most knowing of what you have concealed and what you have declared. And whoever does it among you has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.
This hadith is #6611 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Blood Money (Ad-Diyat). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Al-Miqdad bin `Amr Al-Kindi:.