37/29. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4118 — The Killer and the One Who Intended Killing
The Prohibition of Killing
Two Muslims Fighting Hadith: The Role of Intent to Kill
Sunan an-Nasai : 4118
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4118
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَقَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ فَهُمَا فِي النَّارِ " . قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ " أَرَادَ قَتْلَ صَاحِبِهِ " .
Abu Musa Narrated from:
The Prophet [SAW] said: "If two Muslims confront each other with swords, and one kills the other, they will both be in Hell." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) the killer, but what about the one who is killed?" He said: "He wanted to kill his companion."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4118In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 153English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4123
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4118
This hadith explains why both people in a deadly Muslim-on-Muslim fight receive a warning. The Prophet says that if two Muslims face each other with swords and one kills the other, both are in Hell. The Companions understood why the killer was blamed, but they asked about the person who was killed. The Prophet answered that the slain person had wanted to kill his companion. The key point is murderous intent joined with active armed confrontation. The victim in the final outcome was not described as passive; he had entered the fight intending the same act. This hadith about two Muslims fighting shows that intention matters when it is tied to an attempt to kill.
What we learn from this hadith
- The killer in a mutual sword fight receives a grave warning.
- The slain fighter is also blamed because he intended to kill.
- Intent matters when it is joined with active armed confrontation.
- The narration concerns two Muslims facing each other with deadly weapons.
