37/29. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4122 — Why Both Fighters Are Warned
The Prohibition of Killing
Hadith About Two Muslims With Swords: Why Both Fighters Are Warned
Sunan an-Nasai : 4122
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4122
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنِ الأَحْنَفِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَقَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ " . قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ " إِنَّهُ أَرَادَ قَتْلَ صَاحِبِهِ " .
Abu Bakra Narrated from:
I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: 'If two Muslims confront each other with their swords and one of them kills the other, both the killer and the slain will be in Hell.'" They 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 4122In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 157English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4127
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4122
This hadith about two Muslims with swords explains why both people receive the warning. The Prophet says that if two Muslims confront each other with swords and one kills the other, both the killer and the slain will be in Hell. When the listeners ask why the slain person is included, the answer is plain: he wanted to kill his companion. The hadith therefore connects the outcome of the fight with both action and murderous intent. One person succeeds in killing, while the other does not, but both entered the clash with the same deadly aim. The lesson is to reject the desire to kill a fellow Muslim and to leave the confrontation before blood is shed.
What we learn from this hadith
- Murderous intent toward a fellow Muslim is a grave sin.
- The person who fails to kill may still be blameworthy for wanting to do so.
- A deadly fight harms both sides, not only the one who strikes last.
- Leave armed conflict before intention becomes action.
