Allah (SWT) created mankind and honoured them above many of His creations. He, the Almighty, has mentioned in the holy Qur’an that human beings are the best and the most perfect creatures. Allah (SWT) says, “And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and at sea, and have provided them with At-Taiyebaat (lawful good things), and We have made them to excel by an appropriate excellence over many of those we created.” (Sura Isra: 70). In this verse, Allah honoured man with the highest position on the earth. Muhammad (PBUH), the last and final Messenger of Allah, proclaimed the sanctity of the blood of human beings in the sermon of Hajjatul Wida (the last pilgrimage of the Prophet).

He emphasised the sanctity of human life by equating it to the sanctity of the day when the Prophet delivered his sermon, the city of Makkah and the sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah, a month of immense spiritual significance when Hajj is performed. Abu Bakra (RA) narrated: “The Prophet (PBUH) delivered to us a sermon. He said, ‘Isn't it the Day of Nahr?’ We said, ‘It is.’ He further asked, ‘Which month is this?’ We said, ‘Allah and His Apostle know better.’ He remained silent till we thought that he might give it another name. He then said, ‘Isn't it the month of Dhul-Hijja?’ We replied, ‘Yes! ‘It is.’ He further asked, ‘What town is this?’ We replied, ‘Allah and His Apostle know it better.’ He remained silent till we thought that he might give it another name. He then said, ‘Isn't it the forbidden (sacred) town (of Mecca)?’ We said, ‘Yes. ‘It is.’ He said, ‘No doubt, your blood and your properties are sacred to one another like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours, till the day you meet your Lord. No doubt! ...’” (Sahih Bukhari).

It is a matter of great sorrow that unjust killing is increasing day by day in our country. People are shedding each other’s blood for trivial reasons. Media reports are highlighting that murder increased terribly across the country. According to a newspaper report, at least 1,931 people were killed in six months from January to June 2025, which is way higher than the number reported in the first six months of 2024.

Murder (killing a person deliberately) is the most serious sin after Shirk (associating a partner with Allah) in Islam. Anas Ibn Malik (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned the greatest sins, or he was asked about the greatest sins. He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah, to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden to kill, and to be undutiful or unkind to one's parents." (Sahih Bukhari). If anyone kills a person, it would be as if he killed all of mankind. Allah (SWT) says, ‘That is why We ordained for the Banee Israyeel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.’ (Sura Mayeedah: 32).

Allah (SWT) strictly prohibited the killing of people in the Quran, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. He (SWT) says: ‘Slay not the life which Allah has made sacrosanct unless it is in the cause of justice. Whoever is wrongly slain, we have given power to his near kin, but let him not indulge in excess. He (the near kin) will certainly be helped (to seek redress).’ (Sura Isra:33). According to another Ayah, whoever kills a person unjustly, Allah will throw him into hell, and he will be punished many times over. Allah (SWT) says, ‘They are those who do not invoke any other god besides Allah, nor take a human life—made sacred by Allah—except with legal right, nor commit fornication. And whoever does any of this will face the penalty. Their punishment will be multiplied on the Day of Judgement, and they will remain in it forever, in disgrace.’ (Sura Furqan: 68-69).

Killing a human being is such a serious crime in Islam that the first matter that people will be judged on during the day of resurrection is related to bloodshed. Abdullah (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, ‘The first cases to be decided among the people (on the Day of Resurrection) will be those of bloodshed.’ (Sahih Bukhari). Although undoubtedly Allah (SWT) can forgive everything, and He forgives anything, He (SWT) has set up a limit that He will not forgive the rights of humans. According to a Hadith, if anyone kills a Mu’min (believer) and that person doesn’t forgive the killer, Allah will not forgive him. Abu Darda (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, ‘It is hoped that Allah may forgive every sin, except in the case of one who dies a polytheist, or one who purposely kills a believer.’ (Abu Dawood).

If all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth take part in killing a Muslim unlawfully, Allah will throw them all into Hell. Abu Hurairah (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, 'If the inhabitants of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth all took part in shedding the blood of a believer, then Allah would cast them (all) in the Fire.' (Tirmidhi).

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The writer is Khatib of Baitush Shafiq Mosque and Principal of Baitul Hikmah Academy, Gazipur