Abu Bakra reported the Prophet as saying, “When two Muslims meet and one of them bears arms against his brother, they are both on the brink of hell, and if one of them kills the other they will both enter it.” In a version on Abu Bakra's authority he said, “When two Muslims meet with their swords, the one who kills and the one who is killed will go to hell." When he (i.e. Abu Bakr) remarked that one was the killer and asked what was wrong with the one who was killed, he replied, “He was eager to kill his companion." (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Exposition of the Hadith on Retaliation
This profound narration from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addresses the grave sin of Muslims bearing arms against one another. The hadith establishes that both the aggressor and the one who retaliates with lethal intent share in the spiritual consequences of this transgression.
The Nature of the Sin
When two Muslims confront each other with weapons, they both stand at the brink of Hellfire because each has violated the sanctity of Muslim brotherhood. The killer earns damnation through the act of murder, while the killed earns it through the intention and effort to kill.
The Prophet's response to Abu Bakra clarifies that mere victimhood does not guarantee innocence. If the slain individual was equally determined to commit murder, he shares the spiritual responsibility and punishment.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain that this hadith emphasizes the gravity of intent (niyyah) in Islamic jurisprudence. The external outcome (life or death) does not solely determine spiritual accountability; rather, the internal state of the heart and the willingness to transgress divine boundaries are equally significant.
This teaching serves as a powerful deterrent against intra-Muslim violence and reinforces the principle that Muslims must strive for reconciliation and peace, avoiding situations that could lead to such deadly confrontations.
Legal and Ethical Implications
In Islamic law, this hadith does not negate the legal distinctions between murderer and victim in worldly judgments. Rather, it addresses the ultimate spiritual consequences before Allah, where intentions are fully weighed alongside actions.
The narration serves as a reminder that true faith requires protecting Muslim life and avoiding all paths that lead to fraternal conflict, as both parties in such deadly encounters risk divine displeasure.