Sahih Muslim #4257
The Book of Oaths, Muharibin, Qasas (Retaliation), and Diyat (Blood Money)
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْعَنْبَرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو يُونُسَ، عَنْ سِمَاكِ بْنِ، حَرْبٍ أَنَّ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَائِلٍ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ حَدَّثَهُ قَالَ إِنِّي لَقَاعِدٌ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذْ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ يَقُودُ آخَرَ بِنِسْعَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا قَتَلَ أَخِي . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَقَتَلْتَهُ " . فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ لَوْ لَمْ يَعْتَرِفْ أَقَمْتُ عَلَيْهِ الْبَيِّنَةَ . قَالَ نَعَمْ . قَتَلْتُهُ قَالَ " كَيْفَ قَتَلْتَهُ " . قَالَ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَهُوَ نَخْتَبِطُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ فَسَبَّنِي فَأَغْضَبَنِي فَضَرَبْتُهُ بِالْفَأْسِ عَلَى قَرْنِهِ فَقَتَلْتُهُ . فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " هَلْ لَكَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ تُؤَدِّيهِ عَنْ نَفْسِكَ " . قَالَ مَا لِي مَالٌ إِلاَّ كِسَائِي وَفَأْسِي . قَالَ " فَتَرَى قَوْمَكَ يَشْتَرُونَكَ " . قَالَ أَنَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَى قَوْمِي مِنْ ذَاكَ . فَرَمَى إِلَيْهِ بِنِسْعَتِهِ . وَقَالَ " دُونَكَ صَاحِبَكَ " . فَانْطَلَقَ بِهِ الرَّجُلُ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ قَتَلَهُ فَهُوَ مِثْلُهُ " . فَرَجَعَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ " إِنْ قَتَلَهُ فَهُوَ مِثْلُهُ " . وَأَخَذْتُهُ بِأَمْرِكَ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمَا تُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبُوءَ بِإِثْمِكَ وَإِثْمِ صَاحِبِكَ " . قَالَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ - لَعَلَّهُ قَالَ - بَلَى . قَالَ " فَإِنَّ ذَاكَ كَذَاكَ " . قَالَ فَرَمَى بِنِسْعَتِهِ وَخَلَّى سَبِيلَهُ .
While I was sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ), a person came there dragging another one with the help of a strap and said: Allah's Messenger, this man has killed my brother. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to him: Did you kill him? And the other man said: (In case he did not make a confession of this, I shall brine, a witness against him). He (the murderer) said: Yes, I have killed him. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Why did you kill him? He said: I and he won striking down the leaves of a tree and he abused me and enraged me, and to I struck his head with an axe and killed him, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Have you anything with you to pay blood-wit on your behalf? He said: I do not possess any property but this robe of mine and this axe of mine. He (the Holy, Prophet) said: Do you think your people will pay ransom for you? He said: I am more insignificant among my people than this (that I would not be able to get this benefit from my tribe). He (the Holy Prophet) threw the strap towards him (the claimant of the blood-wit) saying: Take away your man. The man took him away, and as he returned, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: If he kills him, he will be like him. He returned and said: Allah's Messenger, it has reached me that you have said that" If he killed him, he would be like him." I caught hold of him according to your command, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Don't you like that he should take upon him (the burden) of your sin and the sin of your companion (your brother)? He said: Allah's Apostle, why not? The Messenger of Allah (may peace be. upon him) said: If it is so, then let it be. He threw away the strap (around the offender) and set him free.
Narrated by 'Alqama b. Wa'il reported on the authority of his-father:
Context
This narration recounts a situation where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses a case of murder, emphasizing the importance of justice and accountability. It illustrates the need for proper evidence and the consequences of taking a life, reinforcing the value of human life in Islam.
Modern Application
In modern contexts, this principle underscores the importance of justice systems that ensure fair trials and accountability for actions. It serves as a reminder of the need for compassion and fairness in resolving conflicts.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Justice and Qisas (Retribution) because it discusses the principles of justice and the consequences of taking a life.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ
An-Nisaa (The Women)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَن يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلَّا خَطَـًۭٔا ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَـًۭٔا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ مُّؤْمِنَةٍۢ وَدِيَةٌۭ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَصَّدَّقُوا۟ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّۢ لَّكُمْ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ مُّؤْمِنَةٍۢ ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَٰقٌۭ فَدِيَةٌۭ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ وَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ مُّؤْمِنَةٍۢ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا
And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceased's family [is required] unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if the deceased was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Al-Baqara (The Cow)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِصَاصُ فِى ٱلْقَتْلَى ۖ ٱلْحُرُّ بِٱلْحُرِّ وَٱلْعَبْدُ بِٱلْعَبْدِ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۚ فَمَنْ عُفِىَ لَهُۥ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَىْءٌۭ فَٱتِّبَاعٌۢ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَأَدَآءٌ إِلَيْهِ بِإِحْسَٰنٍۢ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ تَخْفِيفٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ ۗ فَمَنِ ٱعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.
سُورَةُ الإِسۡرَاءِ
Al-Israa (The Night Journey)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًۭا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَٰنًۭا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًۭا
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
سُورَةُ القَصَصِ
Al-Qasas (The Stories)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَدَخَلَ ٱلْمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفْلَةٍۢ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيْنِ يَقْتَتِلَانِ هَٰذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ وَهَٰذَا مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦ ۖ فَٱسْتَغَٰثَهُ ٱلَّذِى مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ عَلَى ٱلَّذِى مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦ فَوَكَزَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّضِلٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, "This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy."
سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ
Al-Maaida (The Table)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
لَئِنۢ بَسَطتَ إِلَىَّ يَدَكَ لِتَقْتُلَنِى مَآ أَنَا۠ بِبَاسِطٍۢ يَدِىَ إِلَيْكَ لِأَقْتُلَكَ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
If you should raise your hand against me to kill me - I shall not raise my hand against you to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Common Words
173 total129 unique26 repeated
من11x
كان4x
ٱلله4x
إلا3x
رقبة3x
مؤمنة3x
إلى3x
فمن3x
أن2x
مؤمنا2x
خطـا2x
ومن2x
قتل2x
فتحرير2x
مسلمة2x
أهله2x
قوم2x
عدو2x
فى2x
ذلك2x
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About Sahih Muslim
This hadith is #4257 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Oaths, Muharibin, Qasas (Retaliation), and Diyat (Blood Money). It is graded Sahih and narrated by 'Alqama b. Wa'il reported on the authority of his-father:.