45/13, 14: Chapter
Sunan an-Nasai 4743 — When Killing Is Not Permitted
No Retaliation Is To Be Carried Out If A Muslim Kills A Disbeliever
Hadith About the Sanctity of Muslim Life
Sunan an-Nasai : 4743
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4743
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَفْصِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ رُفَيْعٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ " لاَ يَحِلُّ قَتْلُ مُسْلِمٍ إِلاَّ فِي إِحْدَى ثَلاَثِ خِصَالٍ زَانٍ مُحْصَنٍ فَيُرْجَمُ وَرَجُلٌ يَقْتُلُ مُسْلِمًا مُتَعَمِّدًا وَرَجُلٌ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الإِسْلاَمِ فَيُحَارِبُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَرَسُولَهُ فَيُقْتَلُ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُ أَوْ يُنْفَى مِنَ الأَرْضِ " .
A'isha Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "It is not permissible to kill a Muslim except in one of three cases: A adulterer who has been married, who is to be stoned; a man who kills a Muslim deliberately; and a man who leaves Islam and wages war against Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, and His Messenger, who is to be killed, crucified or banished from the land."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4743In-book reference : Book 45, Hadith 38English translation : Vol. 5, Book 45, Hadith 4747
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4743
This Hadith teaches that the life of a Muslim is protected and cannot be taken except in three cases named in the text. The Messenger of Allah mentions a previously married adulterer, a person who deliberately kills a Muslim, and a person who leaves Islam and wages war against Allah and His Messenger. The wording is direct and serious. For people searching for a hadith about killing a Muslim, sanctity of life in Islam, or three cases in which killing is mentioned, this narration is often studied for its clear limits. The key point is not to treat life lightly. The Hadith sets firm boundaries and ties these matters to stated legal cases, not personal anger.
What we learn from this hadith
- The life of a Muslim is not to be taken without a stated legal cause.
- The Hadith names three specific cases and does not leave the matter open-ended.
- Deliberate killing of a Muslim is listed as a grave matter.
- Personal anger is not presented as a reason to take life.
