The Book of Fighting [The Prohibition of Bloodshed] - Sunan an-Nasa'i 4016

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'By the One besides Whom there is no other god, it is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness to La ilaha illalla (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) and that I am the Messenger of Allah, except in three cases: One who leaves Islam and splits away from the Jama'ah, a person who has been married and then commits adultery, and a life for a life.'"

Scholarly Commentary

This profound hadith establishes the sanctity of Muslim blood through a solemn oath by Allah's Oneness. The testimony of faith (shahadah) creates an inviolable protection (ismah) over a believer's life, making unlawful killing among Muslims equivalent to destroying the entire community.

The first exception concerns the apostate (murtadd) who abandons Islam and separates from the Muslim community. This ruling applies only after proper judicial proceedings where the apostate is offered repentance and clarification. The second exception addresses the married adulterer (muhsan) where stoning is prescribed after meeting stringent evidentiary requirements. The third exception pertains to lawful retribution (qisas) in cases of intentional murder, where the victim's heirs may rightfully demand equivalent justice.

Classical scholars emphasize that these exceptions require strict legal procedures through Islamic courts and are not subject to individual vigilante justice. The hadith's structure prioritizes the general prohibition, making these exceptions narrowly construed legal remedies rather than general permissions.