What rules did Islam introduce to protect life?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Author: Mehmet Kırkıncı

The religion of Islam gives great importance to protecting life. Islam regards murder as a major sin and it regards killing a person as killing the whole mankind: “If anyone 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 anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (al-Maida, 32)

According to the religion of Islam, “The life and the blood of an innocent person cannot be sacrificed even for the humanity. They are equal both in the eye of the divine power and in the eye of the divine justice.” That is, there is no difference for the power of Allah between creating a person and creating the whole mankind; similarly, there is no difference in the eye of the justice of Allah between the rights of a person and the rights of the whole mankind.   

The Quran condemns the murderers to death in this world and to torture in Hell in the hereafter. It is Allah who gives life and it is Allah who removes it. 

The blood and life of man are very important in the eye of Allah. As a matter of fact, the first cases to be settled in the hereafter are the feuds. Being a human not a Muslim is necessary in the protection of life.   

In the religion of Islam, it is forbidden to kill harmless animals unnecessarily let alone killing people; even the lives of animals are protected because the religion of Islam regards mercy and justice as essential.

Questions on Islam