✍ Written by: Hafiz Muti'ullah
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "When two Muslims confront each other with their swords, both the killer and the one killed are in Hellfire." I asked: "O Messenger of Allah, this is understandable for the killer, but why for the one killed?" He replied: "Because he was eager to kill his companion."
(Agreed upon – Muttafaqun Alayh)
It is established that a firm intention can sometimes be judged equivalent to an action even if, due to external factors, the act was not completed.
(Refer to Hadi al-Ruh ila Ahkam al-Tawbah al-Nasuh, chapter: "Tawbah of the Incompetent.")
➋ Inner whispers (وساوس) are not punishable.
As for Allah’s statement:
"Whether you reveal what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will hold you accountable for it"
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:284)
This verse is considered abrogated by the later verse:
"Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286)
➌ Muslims must avoid mutual fighting, as it leads to weakness, cowardice, and invites the displeasure of Allah.
➍ The forbidden fighting refers to combat for worldly reasons, rebellion, or oppression.
Fighting amongst Muslims for such motives is prohibited.
However, fighting to support the truth or against a rebellious group is permissible until they return to the truth.
Otherwise, if Muslims withdraw completely under the pretense of avoiding fighting, it would lead to the suspension of legal punishments, empowerment of the oppressors, usurpation of wealth, bloodshed, and violation of honor.
Islam does not intend this; rather, it commands preventing and breaking the hand of oppression.
➎ Both the killer and the killed being destined for Hell does not imply eternal damnation.
This hadith does not support the Khawarij who declare sinners as disbelievers, nor does it support the Mu'tazilah who deny sinners' entry to Paradise and declare them eternally in Hell.
Ahl al-Sunnah do not consider a sinner to be a disbeliever merely due to sin.
Hadith Authentication References:
Evidence from Hadith
❀ Narrated by Abu Bakrah Nufay' bin al-Harith al-Thaqafi (رضي الله عنه):The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "When two Muslims confront each other with their swords, both the killer and the one killed are in Hellfire." I asked: "O Messenger of Allah, this is understandable for the killer, but why for the one killed?" He replied: "Because he was eager to kill his companion."
(Agreed upon – Muttafaqun Alayh)
Authentication of the Hadith
- Narrated by: Al-Bukhari (1/85 - Fath al-Bari), and Muslim (2888).
Explanation of Vocabulary
- التقى المسلمان:
When two Muslims confront each other with the intent to kill.
Fiqh (Understanding) of the Hadith
➊ A person becomes liable to divine accountability for an intention of sin, when he firmly resolves it in his heart and actively pursues the means to commit it. His matter is then with Allah; if He wills, He punishes, and if He wills, He forgives.It is established that a firm intention can sometimes be judged equivalent to an action even if, due to external factors, the act was not completed.
(Refer to Hadi al-Ruh ila Ahkam al-Tawbah al-Nasuh, chapter: "Tawbah of the Incompetent.")
➋ Inner whispers (وساوس) are not punishable.
As for Allah’s statement:
"Whether you reveal what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will hold you accountable for it"
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:284)
This verse is considered abrogated by the later verse:
"Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286)
➌ Muslims must avoid mutual fighting, as it leads to weakness, cowardice, and invites the displeasure of Allah.
➍ The forbidden fighting refers to combat for worldly reasons, rebellion, or oppression.
Fighting amongst Muslims for such motives is prohibited.
However, fighting to support the truth or against a rebellious group is permissible until they return to the truth.
Otherwise, if Muslims withdraw completely under the pretense of avoiding fighting, it would lead to the suspension of legal punishments, empowerment of the oppressors, usurpation of wealth, bloodshed, and violation of honor.
Islam does not intend this; rather, it commands preventing and breaking the hand of oppression.
➎ Both the killer and the killed being destined for Hell does not imply eternal damnation.
This hadith does not support the Khawarij who declare sinners as disbelievers, nor does it support the Mu'tazilah who deny sinners' entry to Paradise and declare them eternally in Hell.
Ahl al-Sunnah do not consider a sinner to be a disbeliever merely due to sin.
Hadith Authentication References:
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1/85 – Fath al-Bari
- Sahih Muslim 2888
