وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًا 33
Translations
And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].
Transliteration
Wa lā taqtulū an-nafsa allati harrama Allāhu illā bil-haqq, wa man qutila mazlūman faqad ja'alnā li-waliyyihi sultānan falā yusrif fī al-qatl, innahu kāna mansūrā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits unlawful killing of human beings, which Allah has declared sacred, except with right cause (such as just punishment or lawful self-defense). It then addresses the guardian or heir of a murdered person, granting them the right of qisas (retaliation) but commanding them not to exceed bounds in killing, warning against excessive vengeance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that while the murdered person's family has the right to seek justice, they must remain within the limits set by Islamic law and may choose diya (blood money) or pardon instead.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra (a Meccan surah), which addresses fundamental moral laws and commandments. It appears within a series of prohibitions and obligations establishing the pillars of Islamic ethics. The broader context emphasizes the inviolability of human life as a principle established from the time of the Children of Israel, connecting it to Islamic jurisprudence on homicide.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever kills a person without right, it is as if he has killed all of mankind' (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:32, also referenced in hadiths). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that the killer in a qisas case must not torture or mutilate the body, reinforcing the prohibition against excess.
Themes
Key Lesson
While Islamic law grants the right to seek justice for murder through retaliation, it simultaneously restrains excess and encourages mercy, reflecting Islam's balance between justice and compassion. Modern believers should recognize that legitimate grievances must be pursued through lawful channels with moderation, never allowing personal vengeance to override Islamic ethical boundaries.
Related Ayahs
وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّآ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ ٱلنَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا۟ بِهَا ۚ وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا
And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs [i.e., miracles] except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamūd the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.
قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًا
Say, "Sufficient is Allāh as Witness between me and you. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Aware and Seeing."
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ وَيَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَهُۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحْذُورًا
Those whom they invoke seek means of access to their Lord, [striving as to] which of them would be nearest, and they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is ever feared.
قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًا
Say, "Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way."