The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim except in three cases: An adulterer who had been married, who should be stoned to death; a man who killed another man intentionally, who should be killed; and a man who left Islam and waged war against Allah, the Might and Sublime, and His Messenger, who should be killed, or crucified, or banished from the land."
Hadith Text & Context
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim except in three cases: An adulterer who had been married, who should be stoned to death; a man who killed another man intentionally, who should be killed; and a man who left Islam and waged war against Allah, the Might and Sublime, and His Messenger, who should be killed, or crucified, or banished from the land."
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4048 | The Book of Fighting [The Prohibition of Bloodshed]
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the fundamental principle of the sanctity of Muslim life in Islamic law. The prohibition against shedding blood is absolute, with only three meticulously defined exceptions that require strict legal proof and judicial process.
First Case - The Married Adulterer: This refers to "az-Zani al-Muhsan" - one who commits illegal sexual intercourse while being married, free, adult, and Muslim. The punishment of stoning requires either a confession or the testimony of four eyewitnesses who saw the actual act of penetration. The wisdom behind this severe punishment is to protect lineage, honor, and family structure.
Second Case - Intentional Murder: This establishes the law of retribution (qisas) for premeditated murder. The punishment is execution, but Islamic law provides alternatives: the victim's heirs may choose to forgive, accept blood money (diyah), or demand retribution. This demonstrates Islam's balance between justice and mercy.
Third Case - Apostate Who Wages War: This concerns the murtadd al-muharib - one who abandons Islam and actively fights against the Muslim community. The three punishments mentioned reflect the severity of the crime based on circumstances: execution for combat, crucifixion as deterrent for extreme cases, or exile for those who pose ideological threat without physical combat.
Legal Principles Derived
All three exceptions require proper Islamic court proceedings with strict evidence standards. No individual has the right to implement these punishments personally.
The hadith emphasizes that these are exceptions, not the rule, reinforcing the general principle that Muslim blood is sacred and protected.
Scholars note that these punishments serve as ultimate deterrents for crimes that threaten the very foundations of Islamic society: faith, life, and family honor.