37/5. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4016 — Sanctity of Muslim Life
Mentioning What Circumstances Allow Shedding the Blood of a Muslim
Sanctity of Muslim Life: The Three Cases Named in the Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 4016
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4016
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَالَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ لاَ يَحِلُّ دَمُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثَةُ نَفَرٍ التَّارِكُ لِلإِسْلاَمِ مُفَارِقُ الْجَمَاعَةِ وَالثَّيِّبُ الزَّانِي وَالنَّفْسُ بِالنَّفْسِ " . قَالَ الأَعْمَشُ فَحَدَّثْتُ بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فَحَدَّثَنِي عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ بِمِثْلِهِ .
It was narrated that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'By the One besides Whom there is no other god, it is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness to La ilaha illalla (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) and that I am the Messenger of Allah, except in three cases: One who leaves Islam and splits away from the Jama'ah, a person who has been married and then commits adultery, and a life for a life.'"
[1] According to the various wordings in similar narrations (see Nos. 4022, 4024, 4025, 4026, ...etc.) the meaning is, those who leave Islam, and, those who rebel against the Muslim ruler, or the innovators in general who are founded upon separation from the consensus of the people of the Sunnah .Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4016In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 51English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4021
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4016
This hadith begins with a strong declaration about the sanctity of Muslim life. The Prophet swears by Allah that the blood of a Muslim who testifies to faith is not lawful except in three cases named in the narration: one who leaves Islam and separates from the community, a married person who commits adultery and a life for a life. The central message is not a general permission for violence. It is that Muslim blood is protected and that the stated exceptions are limited. The text itself gives no permission for private revenge or personal enforcement. The safest practical lesson from the hadith is to honor life, avoid bloodshed and never turn legal wording into personal action.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith starts from the rule that Muslim blood is protected.
- The exceptions are presented as three limited cases, not an open permission for violence.
- A life for a life is named as one of the cases in the narration.
- The wording does not authorize individuals to carry out punishments or private revenge.
