37/29. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4128 — Each Person Answers for Their Own Crime
The Prohibition of Killing
Personal Justice in Islam: Each Person Answers for Their Own Crime
Sunan an-Nasai : 4128
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4128
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ أُلْفِيَنَّكُمْ تَرْجِعُونَ بَعْدِي كُفَّارًا يَضْرِبُ بَعْضُكُمْ رِقَابَ بَعْضٍ لاَ يُؤْخَذُ الرَّجُلُ بِجَرِيرَةِ أَبِيهِ وَلاَ بِجَرِيرَةِ أَخِيهِ " . هَذَا الصَّوَابُ .
Masruq Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'I do not want to see you after I am gone reverting to disbelievers, striking the necks of one another (killing one another). No man is punished for the crime of his father, or the crime of his brother.'" This is correct.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4128In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 163English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4133
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4128
This hadith about personal justice says that the Messenger of Allah did not want to see Muslims after him reverting to disbelievers by striking the necks of one another. It then states that no man is punished for the crime of his father or brother. The supplied text also says, “This is correct,” marking this wording as the correct form in the report. The message is clear and balanced. Muslim blood must not be shed in internal conflict, and family membership must not be used to transfer guilt. A person should not suffer punishment merely because a close relative committed a crime. The hadith keeps responsibility tied to the person who actually did the wrong.
What we learn from this hadith
- Avoid killing and violent conflict among Muslims.
- Do not punish someone for a father's crime.
- Do not punish someone for a brother's crime.
- Keep blame connected to the person who committed the wrongdoing.
