By Justin Elias
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his followers altogether.
Islam is being widely misrepresented by both anti-Muslim activists and misguided Muslims themselves. Ammunition for use against Islam is given to anti-Muslim activists by Muslim extremists who have continued to say on national television, without any scriptural or legal proof, that Muslims are allowed to kill civilians even when authoritative fatwa prohibit them from doing so. Therefore, it is essential for Muslims to remember the following points so that we are not misled by either camp.
The Holy Quran strongly forbids murder.
Allah Almighty commands the believers, “…do not take the life Allah has made sacred, except by right. This is what He commands you to do, that perhaps you will use your reason.”
(Surat al-An’am 6:151)
Allah Almighty describes the believers as, “…those who never invoke any other deity beside Allah, nor take a life, which Allah has made sacred, except in the pursuit of justice, nor commit adultery.”
(Surat al-Furqan 25:68)
Allah Almighty says, “If anyone kills a believer deliberately, the punishment for him is Hell, and there he will remain. Allah is angry with him, and rejects him, and has prepared a tremendous punishment for him.”
(Surat an-Nisa 4:93)
The Highest Objectives of Islamic Law (Maqasid al-Sharia) are the protection of life, property, mind, family, and honor.
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali states that, “it is known with certainty that preservation of human life, the faculty of reason, chastity, and material possession are the intent of the Law.”
(Shifa al-Ghalil, as quoted in Imam Al-Shatibi’s Theory of the Higher Objectives and Intents of Islamic Law by Ahmad al-Raysuni, International Institute of Islamic Thought, p. 19)
He who kills a single person unlawfully is as if he sanctioned murder against all people.
Allah Almighty says, “On account of [Cain’s deed], We decreed for the Children of Israel that if anyone kills a person—unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land—it is as if he kills all mankind, while if any saves a life it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind.”
(Surat al-Maidah 5:32)
It is strictly forbidden to kill women, children, and non-combatant civilians.
Allah Almighty says, “Fight in Allah’s cause against those who fight you, but do not transgress. Allah does not love those who transgress.”
(Surat al-Baqarah 2:190)
Ibn Abbas said: “Do not kill women, children, old men, or anyone who meets you with peace restraining his hand from fighting. If you did that, then indeed you would have committed transgression.”
(Tafsir al-Tabari, verse 2:190)
Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that transgression, "includes mutilating the dead, theft, killing women, children and old people who do not participate in warfare, killing priests and residents of houses of worship, burning down trees and killing animals without real benefit.''
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, verse 2:190)
Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar: “During some of the battles of Allah's Messenger a woman was found killed, so Allah's Messenger forbade the killing of women and children.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4 Book 52 Number 258)
The sin of murder is a form of disbelief in Allah.
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: The Prophet said, “After me, do not become disbelievers by striking the necks of one another.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9 Book 83 Number 7)
He who murders loses his religion.
Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah's Messenger said, “A faithful believer remains at liberty regarding his religion unless he kills somebody unlawfully.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9 Book 83 Number 2)
The sin of murder is a snare from which no one can escape.
Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar: “Certainly, among the most troublesome matters from which there is no escape for the one involved is to shed sacred blood without a lawful mandate.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 83, Number 3)
The first cases to be judged on the Day of Resurrection are murders.
Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet said, “The first cases to be decided among the people will be those of murder.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 83, Number 4)
Betrayal of peace treaties and treacherous assassinations are strictly forbidden.
Allah Almighty says, “Honor your pledges: you will be questioned about your pledges.”
(Surat al-Isra 17:34)
Narrated Abu Sa'id: the Messenger of Allah said: “On the Day of Judgment there will be a flag for every person guilty of the breach of covenant. It will be raised in proportion to the extent of his guilt; and there is no guilt of treachery more serious than the one committed by the ruler of men.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book 19 Number 4310)
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet said: “Faith prevented assassination. A believer does not assassinate.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 14 Number 2763)
The one who violates treaties, visas, or other contracted security laws will not even smell Paradise.
Narrated Abdullah bin Amr: The Prophet said: “Whoever killed a person protected by a treaty shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be found at a distance of forty years (of traveling).”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9 Book 83 Number 49)
Narrated Abu Bakrah: The Prophet said: “If anyone kills a man whom he grants protection prematurely, Allah will forbid him to enter Paradise.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 14 Number 2754)
Conclusion
We ask Allah the Almighty to protect us from the deception of Satan whether it is spoken through the mouth of a disbeliever or a Muslim.
We ask Allah to relieve our brothers and sisters who are suffering in many parts of the world.
We ask Allah to give us the wisdom and patience to overcome our afflictions.
We ask Allah for us to remain steadfast upon his religion and commandments.
We ask Allah to send peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his followers altogether.
“Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. You are the Ever Giving.” (Surat Ali Imran 3:8)
Ameen
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