“It is not lawful to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah (SWT), and that I am the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), except in one of three cases: a soul for a soul; a married person who commits adultery, and one who leaves his religion and splits from the Jama`ah.”
Narrated by It was narrated from 'Abdullah, who is Ibn Mas`ud, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Context
This hadith emphasizes the sanctity of a Muslim's life, stating that it is unlawful to shed the blood of a Muslim who professes the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (ﷺ), except in specific circumstances. This highlights the importance of moral responsibility and the gravity of taking a life.
Modern Application
In contemporary society, this principle underscores the need for conflict resolution and the importance of valuing human life. It encourages individuals to seek peaceful solutions and uphold the sanctity of life in all situations.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Moral Responsibility and Punishments (Hudud) because it outlines the serious conditions under which a Muslim's life may be taken, emphasizing the gravity of such actions.
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.
Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment,
And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
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].
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
This hadith is #2270 from Sunan Ibn Majah, in the Book of The Chapters on Legal Punishments. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from 'Abdullah, who is Ibn Mas`ud, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:.