"I heard Al-Aswad bin Hilal narrate from a man of Banu Tha'labah bin Yarbu' that some people from Banu Tah'labah came to the Prophet and a man said: "O Messenger of Allah, these are Banu Tha'labah bin Yarbu'who killed so and so' - a man from among the companions of the Prophet. The Prophet said: 'No soul is affected by the sin of another
The Book of Oaths (qasamah), Retaliation and Blood Money - Sunan an-Nasa'i 4835
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i addresses the fundamental Islamic principle of individual accountability in matters of crime and punishment.
Contextual Analysis
The incident involves members of Banu Tha'labah bin Yarbu' being accused of killing a companion of the Prophet. The accuser attempts to establish collective guilt against the entire tribe.
The Prophet's response establishes a crucial legal and moral principle that negates collective punishment and tribal responsibility for individual crimes.
Scholarly Commentary
The statement "No soul is affected by the sin of another" affirms the Quranic principle of individual responsibility (35:18). This ruling dismantles pre-Islamic Arab customs of tribal vengeance.
Classical scholars explain that this hadith establishes that punishment must be directed solely at the actual perpetrator, not their family, tribe, or community.
This principle forms the basis of Islamic criminal law where blood money (diyah) and retaliation (qisas) are personal liabilities, not collective ones.
Legal Implications
The ruling prevents injustice against innocent members of a criminal's family or tribe, protecting them from unlawful retaliation.
It emphasizes that evidence must specifically identify the perpetrator before any legal action can be taken, rejecting guilt by association.
This principle continues to guide Islamic jurisprudence in matters of homicide and bodily injury, ensuring justice while maintaining social harmony.