of Nekounam, (Session 1573)
The Holy Quran, like a pure and boundless spring, presents divine knowledge within a vast scope of rulings and teachings to humanity. This celestial book elucidates fundamental issues of human life with unparalleled precision and architectonic language, and its guidance shines like a brilliant star illuminating the path of justice and salvation. In this treatise, through deep and precise contemplation on the verses related to killing the soul, magic, and retaliation in injury, an effort has been made to explore the jurisprudential, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of these subjects. This examination, relying on the verses of the Holy Quran and authentic narrations, is organised in a manner that not only reveals the apparent meanings of the verses but also unveils their deeper layers with clarity. The objective is to explain these concepts with clear and dignified language for researchers of religious sciences and readers interested in Quranic knowledge.
The intentional killing of the soul, in the view of the Holy Quran, is a sin that shakes the divine and human order like a devastating earthquake. This act not only violates the sanctity of one human life but also creates the capacity to violate the sanctity of all humanity within the killer. The Holy Quran, with decisive wording, enumerates multiple punishments for this crime.
Key Point: Intentional killing of the soul, due to the violation of the sanctity of life, is a sin that entails five punishments: Hellfire, eternity therein, the wrath of God, His curse, and a severe torment. This illustrates the profound catastrophe that killing brings to the system of creation.
And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.
(Surah An-Nis, 4:93)
This verse, by mentioning five punishments, emphasises the gravity of killing the soul. The phrase khlidn fh (abiding eternally therein) is, in some interpretations, understood as relative eternity or prolonged torment, since Divine mercy elsewhere keeps the doors of repentance open until death. Nonetheless, killing the soul, due to the violation of the sanctity of life, disrupts social and divine order, and its consequential effects fall heavily like a shadow on both the individual and society.
The Holy Quran, in a remarkable expression, likens the killing of one human being to the killing of all mankind, thereby emphasising the unparalleled value of human life. This analogy reflects the evil potential inherent in the killer.
Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the landit is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves oneit is as if he had saved mankind entirely.
(Surah Al-Midah, 5:32)
This verse, by likening the killing of one individual to the killing of all humans, stresses that the violation of the sanctity of a single human is tantamount to violating the sanctity of all humanity. Philosophically, this perspective demonstrates that the killer, by crossing the red line of a human life, generates within himself the capacity to violate the sanctity of all human lives. This analogy acts as a key unlocking the profound meanings of the Holy Quran and reveals that every human life is a unique jewel with a value equal to the life of all humanity.
Contrary to some views that consider killing the soul a barrier to repentance, the Holy Quran, with a merciful tone, keeps the doors of repentance open until the end of life.
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."
(Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)
Some opinions, referring to the phrase Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise in Surah An-Nis 4:92, have considered killing the soul an impediment to successful repentance. However, this interpretation conflicts with mercy-centred verses such as Az-Zumar 39:53. The Holy Quran explicitly allows repentance for all sins, including killing the soul, provided it occurs during the lifetime. The emphasis on Knowing and Wise refers to Divine justice, not the negation of mercy and forgiveness. This, like a gentle breeze, rekindles hope in the heart of the sinner, but on the condition of repentance within the span of life.
Killing the soul, even unintentionally, imposes heavy consequential effects on the individual and society, necessitating compensation.
And it is not for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistakethen freeing a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceaseds family [is required] unless they give [up their right as] charity.
(Surah An-Nis, 4:92)
This verse indicates that even accidental killing requires consequential effects such as paying blood money and expiation. Intentional killing is far graver and necessitates either retaliation or compensation through blood money. Avoidance of professions or situations that bring one near to killing the soul acts like a shield to protect from falling into this sin. This viewpoint emphasises the importance of preserving the sanctity of life and refraining from all that leads a person toward this sin.
The execution of obligatory killing, such as retaliation (qi) or legitimate self-defence, is only within the capacity of individuals endowed with high faith and trust.
Key Point: Obligatory killing, such as implementing divine limits or self-defence, should be carried out only by those endowed with divine guardianship or religious scholars, as it requires precise judgement and certainty of no error.
Execution of obligatory killing, including retaliation or defence, demands faith, trust, and certainty of absence of error. Any mistake in this regard may result in unlawful killing with irreparable consequences. This perspective aligns with the verse In retaliation there is life
(Al-Baqarah, 2:179), which views retaliation as a source of life, provided it is executed justly. This matter, akin to a double-edged sword, requires utmost care and caution.
