Hadith Text & Context

"Some people from Banu Tha'labah came to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was delivering a speech and a man said: 'O Messenger of Allah, these are Banu Tha'labah bin Yarbu' who killed so and so' - one of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'No soul is affected by the sin of another.'"

Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4834 | Book: The Book of Oaths (qasamah), Retaliation and Blood Money | Author: Sunan an-Nasa'i

Legal & Theological Significance

This hadith establishes the fundamental Islamic principle of individual responsibility - that no person bears the burden of another's sin. This directly refutes pre-Islamic Arab customs of collective punishment and tribal retaliation.

The ruling applies particularly to blood money and retaliation cases, prohibiting punishment of an entire tribe for one member's crime. Each soul is accountable only for its own deeds before Allah.

Quranic Corroboration

This prophetic teaching aligns with Quranic verses: "No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another" (Quran 6:164) and "Every soul earns only to its own account; no soul burdened bears the burden of another" (Quran 17:15).

Practical Application

In Islamic jurisprudence, this principle ensures fair judicial processes where only the actual perpetrator faces punishment. It prevents injustice against families, tribes, or communities for crimes they didn't commit.

The hadith also teaches Muslims to avoid generalizations and collective blame, emphasizing individual assessment in all matters of rights and responsibilities.