One Murder is Equal to the Killing the Whole of Humanity “Whoever slays a soul...

One Murder is Equal to the Killing the Whole of Humanity “Whoever slays a soul, unless it be for a manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men.” (Surah al-Mā’ida 5:32) All the believers are sons of Adam (a.s.) and brothers to one another. One who kills another person perpetrates a great evil and instigates a feeling of malice, revenge and hatred among people.

Suicide is Murder The Almighty Allah says: “....and do not kill ourselves; surely Allah is Merciful to you. And whoever does this aggressively and unjustly, We will soon cast him into Fire; and this is easy for Allah.” (Surah an-Nisā’ 4:29-30) Allah (S.w.T.) prohibits the believers from suicide even in times of turmoil.

Enlivening the People “.....and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men.” (Surah al-Mā’ida 5:32) If one saves the life of a “protected soul” whose killing has been prohibited by religion, be it forgiving, or not avenging, or protecting him, it is as if he has given life to the whole humanity. By saving one person he has; in a sense; saved humanity. Murder is the worst sin in the eyes of Allah (S.w.T.) and severe punishment has been prescribed for a killer.

The opposite of this, that is, saving the life of a person is accordingly regarded as the greatest form of worship. A Murderer Does Not Die a Muslim The following tradition is indicative of the fact that murder is a Greater Sin: Regarding the killing of a believer, Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says: At the time of his death the killer is told.

‘Die as you wish, die as a Jew or a Christian or as a Magian.’ ^2 Another tradition: “A believer is free in the vast expanse of his belief till he colours his hands with the blood of a Mu’min.” Imam (a.s.) further says: “One who kills a believer intentionally is deprived of the ‘Tawfīq’ of repenting (for his sins).”[^3] One Who Instigates a Murder is the Actual Killer The third tradition, also from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says, “The Holy Prophet (S) was told that a Muslim has been killed and his corpse is lying on the street.