Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of the Sharia (Part 38)
2. Negative Means in Preserving the Soul
In addition to positive measures to preserve human life, Islam has also established negative deterrent means. One of the most important of these is the prohibition of aggression against others.
A) Prohibition of Aggression and Killing Oneself
Islamic law has considered killing and harming others in any form as forbidden and a major sin. Even if the killing occurs unintentionally, the perpetrator must be punished. Allah Almighty says: «وَمَنْ يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا.» Translation: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein forever. Allah is angry with him, and has cursed him, and has prepared for him a great punishment.”
This verse shows the severity of the punishment for murder: eternity in the fire of Hell, along with Allah’s wrath and curse. The Prophet (PBUH) also stated, “Allah does not accept the repentance of the killer of a believer.” However, the majority of jurists believe that repentance can apply to the killer. This difference highlights the importance of preserving life in Islam.
Allah the Almighty says: «وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا.» Translation: “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty and hunger. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin.”
It also states: «وَإِذَا الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَيِّ ذَنْبٍ قُتِلَتْ.» Translation: “And on the Day when the girls buried alive will be asked: For what sin were they killed?”
Islam has threatened those who commit murder unjustly and make it their tradition with the most severe punishments. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “No soul is killed unjustly except that Cain (the son of Adam) will bear a share of its sin, because he was the first to popularize killing as a tradition among people.”
Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “This hadith is one of the principles of Islam. According to it, whoever establishes a bad tradition and others follow him will share in the sin of all the perpetrators until the Day of Resurrection, and he will continue to share in this crime.” These principles demonstrate Islam’s deep concern for the protection of human life and the prevention of any encroachment.
Islam considers the crime of murder to be so heinous that committing it is equivalent to killing all humanity. This attitude reflects the gravity of murder in Islam. Allah Almighty states in the Quran: «مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا.» Translation: “Whoever kills a soul, except for murder or corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed all mankind, and whoever saves a soul, it is as if he has saved all mankind.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of preserving human life in Islamic law. Given the vital significance of human life, the first issue that will be addressed on the Day of Judgment among the rights of the servants is bloodshed. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The first decision that will be made between people on the Day of Judgment will be about bloodshed.”
The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “The destruction of the world is easier in the sight of Allah than the unjust killing of a believer.” Tirmidhi narrated on the authority of Abu Saeed (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “If all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth were to participate in shedding the blood of a believer, Allah would cast them all into Hellfire.”
Bayhaqi also narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever helps with the blood of a Muslim by even half a word, it will be written between his eyes on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Despairing of the Mercy of Allah.’”
Islam has strictly prohibited not only the killing of Muslims but also the killing of non-Muslims. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever kills a disbeliever who has a treaty with the Muslims will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, although its fragrance can be smelled from a distance of forty years.” This hadith indicates that protecting the lives of individuals, even if they are from the Dhimmi, is a religious duty and that any infringement on their rights is considered an unforgivable sin.
Murder is the destruction of a structure that Allah has created with His wisdom and power. Taking a human life violates the rights of the family and relatives who depended on and benefited from that life. Murder is forbidden, whether it is against a Muslim or a non-Muslim who is under a treaty.
These hadiths and Quranic texts emphasize the prohibition of killing and the necessity of preserving life. These teachings illustrate the importance of safeguarding human life and its role in building a society based on justice and mercy.
By admin2
