37/11. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4048 — Three Legal Exceptions
Crucifixion
Three Cases in the Hadith on the Sanctity of Muslim Life
Sunan an-Nasai : 4048
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4048
أَخْبَرَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الدُّورِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الْعَقَدِيُّ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ طَهْمَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ رُفَيْعٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ يَحِلُّ دَمُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ إِلاَّ بِإِحْدَى ثَلاَثِ خِصَالٍ زَانٍ مُحْصَنٌ يُرْجَمُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ قَتَلَ رَجُلاً مُتَعَمِّدًا فَيُقْتَلُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الإِسْلاَمِ يُحَارِبُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَرَسُولَهُ فَيُقْتَلُ أَوْ يُصْلَبُ أَوْ يُنْفَى مِنَ الأَرْضِ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim except in three cases: An adulterer who had been married, who should be stoned to death; a man who killed another man intentionally, who should be killed; and a man who left Islam and waged war against Allah, the Might and Sublime, and His Messenger, who should be killed, or crucified, or banished from the land."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4048In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 83English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4053
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4048
This hadith begins with a strong rule: the blood of a Muslim is not lawful to shed. It then names three stated exceptions. They are a married adulterer, a person who intentionally kills another person, and one who leaves Islam and wages war against Allah and His Messenger. For the third case, the report mentions killing, crucifixion, or banishment. The core message is the sanctity of Muslim life and the limited nature of the listed legal exceptions. The narration is about formal criminal judgment, not personal action. According to Islamic scholars, these penalties require lawful authority, strict proof, and a valid judicial process. No individual may use this hadith to threaten, attack, or punish another person. The opening protection of life remains central.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith starts by affirming the protection of Muslim life.
- Only three stated legal cases are listed as exceptions.
- The third case combines leaving Islam with waging war in this narration.
