(Explanation of the Hadith of Al-Miqdad رضي الله عنه)
❖ Authentic Hadith:
Narrated by Al-Miqdad رضي الله عنه:
He said: "O Messenger of Allah! Suppose I encounter a man from the disbelievers who fights me and strikes one of my hands with a sword, cutting it off. Then he seeks refuge under a tree and says, 'I have submitted to Allah (become a Muslim).' O Messenger of Allah, may I kill him after he says that?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"Do not kill him."
Miqdad continued: "O Messenger of Allah! He cut off my hand and only then declared Islam, may I still kill him?"
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not kill him. If you kill him, then he was in your place before you killed him, and you will be in his place before he said those words."
[Al-Bukhari: 6865, 4019 | Muslim: 95]
No matter how severe one’s enmity or transgressions against Muslims might have been, if a person embraces Islam sincerely, all previous sins are forgiven.
② Killing After Shahada is Forbidden:
If a Muslim knowingly kills someone after the latter has declared the Shahada, he is held accountable, and retribution (Qisas) may be due.
③ No Punishment for Pre-Islamic Crimes:
Islam absolves a person of all past deeds committed during disbelief. Retribution for pre-Islamic actions is not applicable once a person becomes Muslim.
④ Equality in Faith:
The moment one becomes Muslim, they are equal in rights, dignity, and sanctity to all other Muslims, regardless of their past.
⑤ The Power of Shahada (Testimony of Faith):
The declaration of faith is a transformative statement. It draws a divine line between the permissibility and impermissibility of life, property, and honor—rendering all of it sacred for the believer.
This content is derived from the book "Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaẓnfar.
❖ Authentic Hadith:
Narrated by Al-Miqdad رضي الله عنه:
He said: "O Messenger of Allah! Suppose I encounter a man from the disbelievers who fights me and strikes one of my hands with a sword, cutting it off. Then he seeks refuge under a tree and says, 'I have submitted to Allah (become a Muslim).' O Messenger of Allah, may I kill him after he says that?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"Do not kill him."
Miqdad continued: "O Messenger of Allah! He cut off my hand and only then declared Islam, may I still kill him?"
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not kill him. If you kill him, then he was in your place before you killed him, and you will be in his place before he said those words."
[Al-Bukhari: 6865, 4019 | Muslim: 95]
✦ Key Lessons and Reflections:
① Complete Amnesty Upon Embracing Islam:No matter how severe one’s enmity or transgressions against Muslims might have been, if a person embraces Islam sincerely, all previous sins are forgiven.
② Killing After Shahada is Forbidden:
If a Muslim knowingly kills someone after the latter has declared the Shahada, he is held accountable, and retribution (Qisas) may be due.
③ No Punishment for Pre-Islamic Crimes:
Islam absolves a person of all past deeds committed during disbelief. Retribution for pre-Islamic actions is not applicable once a person becomes Muslim.
④ Equality in Faith:
The moment one becomes Muslim, they are equal in rights, dignity, and sanctity to all other Muslims, regardless of their past.
⑤ The Power of Shahada (Testimony of Faith):
The declaration of faith is a transformative statement. It draws a divine line between the permissibility and impermissibility of life, property, and honor—rendering all of it sacred for the believer.
This content is derived from the book "Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaẓnfar.