The Book of Fighting [The Prohibition of Bloodshed] - Sunan an-Nasa'i

Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 3989

Textual Analysis

The statement "Killing a believer is more grievous before Allah than the extinction of the whole world" establishes the supreme sanctity of Muslim life in Islamic jurisprudence.

The phrase "more grievous before Allah" indicates this is not merely a worldly assessment but a divine judgment of utmost gravity.

Scholarly Commentary

Classical scholars explain that the entire world's destruction, while catastrophic, remains within Allah's created order and dominion. However, unlawfully taking a believer's life constitutes a direct violation of divine boundaries (hudud) established by the Lawgiver.

Ibn Kathir and other commentators emphasize that this hadith establishes the principle that preserving a single human life takes precedence over all worldly considerations, reflecting the Quranic verse: "Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely" (5:32).

Legal Implications

This narration forms the foundation for the severe legal consequences of unlawful killing in Islamic law, including mandatory retribution (qisas) and the heavy spiritual consequences in the Hereafter.

Scholars note that the comparison to "extinction of the whole world" serves to emphasize the absolute prohibition, as no worldly benefit could ever justify such a transgression against divine law.

Spiritual Dimensions

Al-Qurtubi explains that the gravity stems from the violation of Allah's trust placed in the human soul and the disruption of the natural order established by the Creator.

The protection of life is considered among the essential objectives (maqasid) of Islamic law, without which neither religion nor society can properly function.