Muslims do not kill. Islam is a religion of peace and compassion, and killing another human being without a valid, lawful reason is a sin. There are many misconceptions about killing in Islam because of what we see in the media and what we see committed by inhumane terrorists. In'sha'Allah I will try to clear these misconceptions as best as I can in this post.
Firstly, we must see what the Qur'an says about killing.
And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him. (4:93)
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. (6:151)
And do not kill anyone whose killing Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully (Mazluman intentionally with hostility and oppression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [to demand Qisas, - Law of Equality in punishment - or to forgive, or to take Diyah (blood money)]. But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e he should not kill except the killer). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law). (17:33)
Except those who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with their breasts restraining from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against them. (4:90)
Secondly, the misconception that many non Muslims have is that the Qur'an tells us to "kill the disbelievers wherever they are". They reference, in particular, this verse:
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-Al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. (2:191)
If we look at the context, the Muslims at this time were being persecuted (word: fitna) by the non-Muslims in Mecca and they were forced to leave their homes. Eventually, a treaty was signed, but the Quraish had broken this treaty. This is why self-defence was permitted, but there are many commands in the Qur'an for peace:
But if they cease, then God is Forgiving and Merciful. (2:192)
But if they cease, then let there be no hostility except against the oppressors. (2:193)
And if anyone of the polytheists asks you for protection, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of God; then escort him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6)
So, in reality, the Qur'an only allows killing in times of persecution, war, and self-defence. Killing those who are innocent civilians, who have surrendered, and who have no hostility, is absolutely forbidden, as is the killing of children and women.
Firstly, we must see what the Qur'an says about killing.
And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him. (4:93)
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. (6:151)
And do not kill anyone whose killing Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully (Mazluman intentionally with hostility and oppression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [to demand Qisas, - Law of Equality in punishment - or to forgive, or to take Diyah (blood money)]. But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e he should not kill except the killer). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law). (17:33)
Except those who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with their breasts restraining from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against them. (4:90)
Secondly, the misconception that many non Muslims have is that the Qur'an tells us to "kill the disbelievers wherever they are". They reference, in particular, this verse:
And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-Al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. (2:191)
If we look at the context, the Muslims at this time were being persecuted (word: fitna) by the non-Muslims in Mecca and they were forced to leave their homes. Eventually, a treaty was signed, but the Quraish had broken this treaty. This is why self-defence was permitted, but there are many commands in the Qur'an for peace:
But if they cease, then God is Forgiving and Merciful. (2:192)
But if they cease, then let there be no hostility except against the oppressors. (2:193)
And if anyone of the polytheists asks you for protection, give him protection so that he may hear the Word of God; then escort him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6)
So, in reality, the Qur'an only allows killing in times of persecution, war, and self-defence. Killing those who are innocent civilians, who have surrendered, and who have no hostility, is absolutely forbidden, as is the killing of children and women.
