The Book of Fighting [The Prohibition of Bloodshed] - Sunan an-Nasa'i 4124

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "If two Muslims confront each other with swords and one of them kills the other, then the killer and the slain will both be in Hell." A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) the killer, but what about the one who is killed?" He said: "He wanted to kill his companion."

Scholarly Commentary

This profound hadith establishes the sanctity of Muslim life and the gravity of mutual combat between believers. The apparent paradox - that both combatants merit Hellfire - is resolved by the Prophet's explanation that both shared the murderous intent.

The killer's sin is manifest in taking life unlawfully. The slain, though victim in appearance, bears equal guilt through his aggressive intention and willingness to commit the same crime. This demonstrates that in Islamic jurisprudence, criminal liability attaches not only to the completed act but also to the firm resolve to commit it.

Scholars explain this ruling applies specifically to two Muslims who willingly engage in mortal combat without legitimate Islamic justification. It excludes cases of legitimate warfare, self-defense against aggression, or judicial execution. The hadith serves as a powerful deterrent against vigilante justice and personal vendettas within the Muslim community.

This teaching emphasizes that the preservation of communal harmony and the sanctity of life take precedence over personal disputes. The spiritual consequence - eternal damnation for both parties - underscores the severity with which Islam views intra-Muslim violence and the importance of resolving conflicts through proper Islamic channels.