If Anyone Slays a Person (Qur'an 5:32): Difference between revisions

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===The Meaning of "Mischief" (fasadin)===
===The Meaning of "Mischief" (fasadin)===


The Qur'an describes the punishments for those who "wage war against Allah and his messenger" and strive for "mischief" in the Land as execution, [[crucifixion]], the [[Amputation|cutting off of hands and feet]] from opposite sides, or exile from the land. The definitions of these groups is clear from hadiths, tafsirs, and even other Qur'an verses, in which mischief includes such things as disputing Islam.
The Qur'an describes the punishments for those who "wage war against Allah and his messenger" and strive for "mischief" in the Land as execution, [[crucifixion]], the [[Amputation|cutting off of hands and feet]] from opposite sides, or exile from the land. Definitions of these groups can be found in hadiths, tafsirs, and even other Qur'an verses, in which mischief includes such things as disputing Islam.


It is fairly obvious that the polytheists were one such group meant by the phrase "those who wage war against Allah and his messenger". A hadith graded hasan by al-Albani in Sunan Abu Dawud confirms this:
It is fairly obvious that the polytheists were one such group meant by the phrase "those who wage war against Allah and his messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land". A hadith graded hasan by al-Albani in Sunan Abu Dawud confirms this:


{{ quote | {{Abudawud|38|4359}} | Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
{{ quote | {{Abudawud|38|4359}} | Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
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Anas said, "Some people of `Ukl or `Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them. So the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered them to go to the herd of (Milch) camels and to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). So they went as directed and after they became healthy, they killed the shepherd of the Prophet and drove away all the camels. The news reached the Prophet (ﷺ) early in the morning and he sent (men) in their pursuit and they were captured and brought at noon. He then ordered to cut their hands and feet (and it was done), and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron, They were put in 'Al-Harra' and when they asked for water, no water was given to them." Abu Qilaba said, "Those people committed theft and murder, became infidels after embracing Islam and fought against Allah and His Apostle."}}
Anas said, "Some people of `Ukl or `Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them. So the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered them to go to the herd of (Milch) camels and to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). So they went as directed and after they became healthy, they killed the shepherd of the Prophet and drove away all the camels. The news reached the Prophet (ﷺ) early in the morning and he sent (men) in their pursuit and they were captured and brought at noon. He then ordered to cut their hands and feet (and it was done), and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron, They were put in 'Al-Harra' and when they asked for water, no water was given to them." Abu Qilaba said, "Those people committed theft and murder, became infidels after embracing Islam and fought against Allah and His Apostle."}}


Besides this specific incident, the tafsirs interpret "mischief" in an alarmingly wide manner. In ibn Kathir's tafsir, Qatada, one of Muhammad's companions, explained the definition of "Mischief" according to Islam:
Besides this specific incident, the tafsirs interpret "mischief" in an alarmingly wide manner. In ibn Kathir's tafsir, the definition of "Mischief" according to Islam is explained in the context of {{Quran|2|11}}:


{{Quote|[http://www.theholybook.org/content/view/6333/2/ Meaning of Mischief]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|(And when it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the earth,"), means, "Do not commit acts of disobedience on the earth. '''Their mischief is disobeying Allah''', because whoever disobeys Allah on the earth, or commands that Allah be disobeyed, he has committed mischief on the earth.}}
{{Quote|[1=http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=786&Itemid=60 Tafsir Ibn Kathir on verse 2:11]|2=("Do not make mischief on the earth"), that is disbelief and acts of disobedience. Abu Ja`far said that Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said that Abu Al-`Aliyah said that Allah's statement, (And when it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the earth,"), means, "Do not commit acts of disobedience on the earth. Their mischief is disobeying Allah, because whoever disobeys Allah on the earth, or commands that Allah be disobeyed, he has committed mischief on the earth. Peace on both the earth and in the heavens is ensured (and earned) through obedience (to Allah)." Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Qatadah said similarly.}}


In the Tafsir attributed to ibn Abbas (date and author unknown):
In relation to verse 5:33 Ibn Kathir says:


{{Quote|1=[http://altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=5&tAyahNo=32&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2 Surah al-Ma'idah, ayah 32]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Abbas|2=(For that) because Cain wrongfully killed Abel (cause We decreed for the Children of Israel) in the Torah (that whosoever killeth a human being for other than man slaughter) i.e. premeditatedly (or '''corruption in the earth''') or '''because of idolatry''', (it shall be as if be had killed all mankind) }}
{{Quote|1=[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=786&Itemid=60 Tafsir Ibn Kathir on verse 5:33]|2=(The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land.) `Wage war' mentioned here means, oppose and contradict, and it includes disbelief, blocking roads and spreading fear in the fairways. Mischief in the land refers to various types of evil.}}
 
In the Tafsir attributed to ibn Abbas (date and true author unknown):
 
{{Quote|1=[http://altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=5&tAyahNo=32&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2 Tafsir Ibn Abbas on verse 5:32]|2=(For that) because Cain wrongfully killed Abel (cause We decreed for the Children of Israel) in the Torah (that whosoever killeth a human being for other than man slaughter) i.e. premeditatedly (or '''corruption in the earth''') or '''because of idolatry''', (it shall be as if be had killed all mankind) }}


In the Tafsir al-Jalalayn, by al-Suyuti, the following commentary is found:
In the Tafsir al-Jalalayn, by al-Suyuti, the following commentary is found:


{{Quote|1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=5&tAyahNo=32&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2 Surah al-Ma'idah, ayah 32]<BR>Tafsir al-Jalalayn|2=Because of that, which Cain did, We decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever slays a soul for other than a soul, slain, or for, other than, corruption, committed, in the land, '''in the way of unbelief''', fornication or waylaying and the like, it shall be as if he had slain mankind altogether; and whoever saves the life of one, by refraining from slaying, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind — Ibn ‘Abbās said [that the above is meant] in the sense of violating and protecting its [a soul’s] sanctity [respectively]. Our messengers have already come to them, that is, to the Children of Israel, with clear proofs, miracles, but after that many of them still commit excesses in the land, '''overstepping the bounds through disbelief''', killing and the like.}}
{{Quote|1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=5&tAyahNo=32&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2 Tafsir al-Jalalayn on verse 5:32]|2=Because of that, which Cain did, We decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever slays a soul for other than a soul, slain, or for, other than, corruption, committed, in the land, '''in the way of unbelief''', fornication or waylaying and the like, it shall be as if he had slain mankind altogether; and whoever saves the life of one, by refraining from slaying, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind — Ibn ‘Abbās said [that the above is meant] in the sense of violating and protecting its [a soul’s] sanctity [respectively]. Our messengers have already come to them, that is, to the Children of Israel, with clear proofs, miracles, but after that many of them still commit excesses in the land, '''overstepping the bounds through disbelief''', killing and the like.}}


This understanding of what constitutes 'mischief' in Islam is confirmed by looking to other verses found within the Qur'an. Verse 3:63, for example, where those who merely dispute Islam are mischief makers:
This understanding of what constitutes 'mischief' in Islam is confirmed by looking to other verses found within the Qur'an. Verse 3:63, for example, where those who merely dispute Islam are mischief makers:
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{{Quote|{{Quran-range|3|60|63}}|The Truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt. '''If any one disputes in this matter with thee''', now after (full) knowledge Hath come to thee, say: "Come! let us gather together,- our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves: Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!" This is the true account: There is no god except Allah; and Allah-He is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise. But if they turn back, '''Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.'''}}
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|3|60|63}}|The Truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt. '''If any one disputes in this matter with thee''', now after (full) knowledge Hath come to thee, say: "Come! let us gather together,- our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves: Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!" This is the true account: There is no god except Allah; and Allah-He is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise. But if they turn back, '''Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.'''}}


Clearly "mischief" can and does apply to someone who simply refuses to accept and disputes Islam.
Clearly "mischief" can and does apply to someone who disputes Islam.


According to Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the world's most quoted independent Islamic jurist:
According to Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the world's most quoted independent Islamic jurist:
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{{Quote||Surah al-Ma'idah (5:33) says: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle is that they should be murdered or crucified." According to Abi Kulaba's narration '''this verse means the apostates.''' And many hadiths, not only one or two, but many, narrated by a number of Muhammad's companions state that '''any apostate should be killed'''. }}
{{Quote||Surah al-Ma'idah (5:33) says: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle is that they should be murdered or crucified." According to Abi Kulaba's narration '''this verse means the apostates.''' And many hadiths, not only one or two, but many, narrated by a number of Muhammad's companions state that '''any apostate should be killed'''. }}


So what is first offered as the height of moral teachings found in the Qur'an, was widely understood as part of an intolerant call to violence.
So what is first offered as the height of moral teachings found in the Qur'an, was widely understood as part of an intolerant call to violence. Verse 5:32


===The Worth of a Non-Believer===
===The Worth of a Non-Believer===
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