Before I answer the question, I would like for you to read What does Allah Almighty say about Justice for all in an Islamic State? to see how Allah Almighty commanded the Muslims to be just at all time, even if it's against their own selves and families. This "Islamic Justice" can and does apply today for both Muslims and non-Muslims living under the Islamic Law, where if a Muslim kills a non-Muslim, then his punishment would be the same as the punishment of killing a Muslim.
Continuing with my answer:
No where in the Noble Quran or the Sayings (Hadiths) of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him do we find a direct punishment to a Muslim who intentionally kills a non-Muslim. I gave this answer up front because I don't want the reader to think that I am trying to answer away any obvious problem in Islam. However, it is important to know why no such law exists.
1400 years ago, when the Noble Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, it was revealed during times of hostile wars. The Muslims fought almost all of the 360 Pagan Arab tribes and the tribes of the Jews and Christians as well. Fighting the offending disbelievers was part of the Muslims' routine in dealing with the disbelievers.
Despite all of this hostility between the Muslims and the Pagans and the Jews and Christians, Allah Almighty in the Noble Quran prohibited for the Muslims to violate anyone who wanted peace:
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. (The Noble Quran, 2:190)"
Fighting in the cause of GOD Almighty those who fight us is what "Jihad" is all about. I can't go and kill a non-Muslim just because he is a non-Muslim. That is absolutely forbidden in Islam.
Now, it is important to know that the Muslims never had an "Islamic State" or "Islamic Country" while the Noble Quran was revealed. There was never a "Muslim Nation" during Prophet Muhammad's time. But however, Allah Almighty did recognize the existence of nations:
"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted. (The Noble Quran, 49:13)"
Today, people are entirely divided into countries and nations. There isn't any land on earth that isn't under a government's rulership. All national citizens' lives in any nation are equal, except with those who oppose the dictators and end up getting killed by them. But the general equality between normal citizens exists today and had existed 1400 years ago when Noble Verse 49:13 was revealed.
So, what did Allah Almighty say about the citizens of any nation? Let us look at the following Noble Verses about the story of Abel and Cain, Adam's sons in the Noble Quran:
"27. Recite to them the truth Of the story of the two sons Of Adam. Behold! they each Presented a sacrifice (to Allah): It was accepted from one, But not from the other. Said the latter: 'Be sure I will slay thee.' 'Surely,' Said the former, 'Allah Doth accept of the sacrifice Of those who are righteous.
28. 'If thou dost stretch thy hand Against me, to slay me, It is not for me to stretch My hand against thee To slay thee: for I do fear Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.
29. 'For me, I intend to let Thee draw on thyself My sin as well as thine, For thou wilt be among The Companions of the Fire, And that is the reward Of those who do wrong.
30. The (selfish) soul of the other Led him to the murder Of his brother: he murdered Him, and became (himself) One of the lost ones.
31. The Allah sent a raven, Who scratched the ground, To show him how to hide The shame of his brother. 'Woe is me!' said he; 'Was I not even able To be as this raven, And to hide the shame Of my brother?' Then he became Full of regrets --
32. On that account: We ordained For the Children of Israel That if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. The although there came To them Our Messengers With clear Sings, yet, Even after that, many Of them continued to commit Excess in the land. (Noble Quran 5:27-32)"
As we clearly above in Noble Verses 5:32 and 2:190, Allah Almighty prohibits the killing of any innocent person. There are other Noble Verses where Allah Almighty commands the Muslims to honor any peace treaty they make with the enemy in the time of war and to never break it: Noble Verses 4:90 and 9:7. Please visit What is Jihad and the Laws of War in Islam? for more details.
So if there are several instances in the Noble Quran where Allah Almighty clearly prohibits the killing of any innocent non-Muslim, then violating Allah Almighty's laws would result the offending Muslim in a sever consequence in the Day of Judgement.
But what about the judgement in life? I believe that since Allah Almighty clearly said "That if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people", then this Noble Verse is referring to all of the people living in the country, hence, treating all citizens equally.
As I said, since no Islamic government and no Islamic nation really existed during Prophet Muhammad's time 1400 years ago, then the idea of treating all citizens (Muslims and non-Muslims) equally under one country's law, and executing anyone who kills anyone intentionally would definetly be a supported in Islam. If killing any innocent person is equivalent to killing everyone as clearly mentioned in Noble Verse 5:32 above, then it would definetly be appropriate to apply the conditions that are applied as shown above in the article to the murderer of any Muslim believer.
Posted: at 6-09-2011 12:13 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie |
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