Tafsir

The Command and the Wisdom behind the Law of Equality

Allah states: O believers! The Law of equality has been ordained on you (for cases of murder), the free for the free, the slave for the slave and the female for the female. Therefore, do not transgress the set limits, as others before you transgressed them, and thus changed what Allah has ordained for them. The reason behind this statement is that (the Jewish tribe of) Banu An-Nadir invaded Qurayzah (another Jewish tribe) during the time of Jahiliyyah (before Islam) and defeated them. Hence, (they made it a law that) when a person from Nadir kills a person from Quraizah, he is not killed in retaliation, but only pays a hundred Wasq of dates. However, when a person from Quraizah kills a Nadir man, he would be killed for him. If Nadir wanted (to forfeit the execution of the murderer and instead require him) to pay a ransom, the Quraizah man pays two hundred Wasq of dates double the amount Nadir pays in Diyah (blood money).

So Allah commanded that justice be observed regarding the penal code, and that the path of the misguided and mischievous persons be avoided, who in disbelief and transgression, defy and alter what Allah has commanded them. Allah said:كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِصَاصُ فِي الْقَتْلَى ۖ الْحُرُّ بِالْحُرِّ وَالْعَبْدُ بِالْعَبْدِ وَالْأُنثَىٰ بِالْأُنثَىٰ ۚ(Al-Qisas (the Law of equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female.)Allah's statement:الْحُرُّ بِالْحُرِّ وَالْعَبْدُ بِالْعَبْدِ وَالْأُنثَىٰ بِالْأُنثَىٰ ۚ(the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female.) was abrogated by the statement life for life (5:45). However, the majority of scholars agree that the Muslim is not killed for a disbeliever whom he kills.

Al- Bukhari reported that `Ali narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:«وَلَا يُقْتَلُ مُسْلِمٌ بِكَافِر»(The Muslim is not killed for the disbeliever (whom he kills).)No opinion that opposes this ruling could stand correct, nor is there an authentic Hadith to contradict it. However, Abu Hanifah thought that the Muslim could be killed for a disbeliever, following the general meaning of the Ayah (5:45) in Surat Al-Ma'idah (chapter 5 in the Qur'an).

The Four Imams (Abu Hanifah, Malik, Shafi`i and Ahmad) and the majority of scholars stated that the group is killed for one person whom they murder. `Umar said, about a boy who was killed by seven men, "If all the residents of San`a' (capital of Yemen today) collaborated on killing him, I would kill them all." No opposing opinion was known by the Companions during that time which constitutes a near Ijma` (consensus). There is an opinion attributed to Imam Ahmad that a group of people is not killed for one person whom they kill, and that only one person is killed for one person. Ibn Al-Mundhir also attributed this opinion to Mu`adh, Ibn Az-Zubayr, `Abdul-Malik bin Marwan, Az-Zuhri, Ibn Sirin and Habib bin Abu Thabit.

Allah's statement:فَمَنْ عُفِىَ لَهُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَىْءٌ فَاتِّبَاعٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَأَدَآءٌ إِلَيْهِ بِإِحْسَـنٍ(But if the killer is forgiven by the brother (or the relatives) of the killed (against blood money), then it should be sought in a good manner, and paid to him respectfully.) refers to accepting blood money (by the relatives of the victim in return for pardoning the killer) in cases of intentional murder. This opinion is attributed to Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Sha`tha', Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ata' Al-Hasan, Qatadah and Muqatil bin Hayyan.

Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas said:فَمَنْ عُفِىَ لَهُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَىْءٌ(But if the killer is forgiven by the brother (or the relatives) of the killed (against blood money)) means the killer is pardoned by his brother (i.e., the relative of the victim) and accepting the Diyah after capital punishment becomes due (against the killer), this is the `Afw (pardon mentioned in the Ayah)." Allah's statement:فَاتِّبَاعٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ(...then it should be sought in a good manner,) means, when the relative agrees to take the blood money, he should collect his rightful dues with kindness:وَأَدَآءٌ إِلَيْهِ بِإِحْسَـنٍ( and paid to him respectfully.) means, the killer should accept the terms of settlement without causing further harm or resisting the payment.

Allah's statement:ذَلِكَ تَخْفِيفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ(This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord.) means the legislation that allows you to accept the blood money for intentional murder is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. It lightens what was required from those who were before you, either applying capital punishment or forgiving.

Sa`id bin Mansur reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "The Children of Israel were required to apply the Law of equality in murder cases and were not allowed to offer pardons (in return for blood money). Allah said to this Ummah (the Muslim nation):كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِصَاصُ فِي الْقَتْلَى ۖ الْحُرُّ بِالْحُرِّ وَالْعَبْدُ بِالْعَبْدِ وَالْأُنثَىٰ بِالْأُنثَىٰ ۚ فَمَنْ عُفِيَ لَهُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَيْءٌ(The Law of equality in punishment is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free for the free, the servant for the servant, and the female for the female. But if the killer is forgiven by the brother (or the relatives) of the killed (against blood money),)Hence, `pardoning' or `forgiving' means accepting blood money in intentional murder cases." Ibn Hibban also recorded this in his Sahih. Qatadah said:ذَلِكَ تَخْفِيفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ(This is an alleviation from your Lord)Allah had mercy on this Ummah by giving them the Diyah which was not allowed for any nation before it.

The People of the Torah (Jews) were allowed to either apply the penal code (for murder, i.e., execution) or to pardon the killer, but they were not allowed to take blood money. The People of the Injil (the Gospel - the Christians) were required to pardon (the killer, but no Diyah was legislated). This Ummah (Muslims) is allowed to apply the penal code (execution) or to pardon and accept the blood money." Similar was reported from Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muqatil bin Hayyan and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas.

Allah's statement:فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَلَهُ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ(So after this whoever transgresses the limits, he shall have a painful torment.) means, those who kill in retaliation after taking the Diyah or accepting it, they will suffer a painful and severe torment from Allah. The same was reported from Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ata' `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, As-Suddi and Muqatil bin Hayyan.

The Benefits and Wisdom of the Law of Equality

Allah's statement:وَلَكُمْ فِي الْقِصَاصِ حَيَوةٌ(And there is life for you in Al-Qisas) legislating the Law of equality, i.e., killing the murderer, carries great benefits for you. This way, the sanctity of life will be preserved because the killer will refrain from killing, as he will be certain that if he kills, he would be killed. Hence life will be preserved. In previous Books, there is a statement that killing stops further killing! This meaning came in much clearer and eloquent terms in the Qur'an:وَلَكُمْ فِي الْقِصَاصِ حَيَوةٌ(And there is (a saving of) life for you in Al-Qisas (the Law of equality in punishment).)Abu Al-`Aliyah said, "Allah made the Law of equality a `life'. Hence, how many a man who thought about killing, but this Law prevented him from killing for fear that he will be killed in turn." Similar statements were reported from Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Abu Malik, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Muqatil bin Hayyan.

Allah's statement:يأُولِي الأَلْبَـبِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ(O men of understanding, that you may acquire Taqwa.) means, `O you who have sound minds, comprehension and understanding! Perhaps by this you will be compelled to refrain from transgressing the prohibitions of Allah and what He considers sinful. ' Taqwa (mentioned in the Ayah) is a word that means doing all acts of obedience and refraining from all prohibitions.كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَلِدَيْنِ وَالاٌّقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ

From the brief introduction to the nature of righteousness appearing in verses before this, the text now enters into the description of related subsidiary injunctions. Under the first injunction in this connection, the verse prescribes the law of Qisas (even retaliation), that is, the killer will be killed, irrespective of the status of the parties involved. If the aggrieved party somewhat relents on its own and forgives the Qisas قصاص ، but does not forgive the offence totally, it will become necessary for the killer to pay diyah (دیۃ) or blood-money as fixed, in a fair manner, and promptly. The claimant too, should pursue the matter in a recognized manner causing no harassment to the defendant. This law of blood-money and pardon is a relief granted by Allah Almighty in His grace, otherwise, there would have been no choice but to face the punishment of death. If, after all that, anyone crosses the limit set by Allah, such as, the filing of a false or doubtful case of murder, or a post-pardon re-opening of a murder case, he will be severely punished.

In the end, the verse points out that wise people should have no difficulty in seeing that the law of even retaliation does not take life, instead, it gives life, for such a deterrent law will make people fear the punishment of killing somebody and thus lives will be saved.

There is life in 'Qisas' قصاصLiterally, the word, Qisas means likeness. In usage, it denotes 'even retaliation' or to return like for like. In Islamic juristic terminology, Qisas means the equal retaliation of an aggression committed against the body of a person. This retaliation is allowed only with a condition that the principle of "like for like" is strictly observed. This has been explained more clearly later on in verse 194 of this very Sarah which says:فَاعْتَدُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْSo, agress against him in the like manner as he did against you.

And also in the concluding verses of Surah al-Nahl, the same rule has been covered:وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِAnd, if you retaliate, then retaliate just as you have been oppressed against. (16:126)Therefore, as a term of the Shari'ah, the Qisas قصاص is a punishment for killing or wounding in which the principle of equality or likeness is taken into full consideration.

Rulings1. The principle of even retaliation is applied exclusively in cases of culpable homicide when someone has been killed intentionally with a lethal weapon causing injury and blood-loss.2. In a homicide of this nature, the killer is killed in even retaliation - free man for a free man, slave for a slave, and female for a female - and similarly, a man for a woman. The mention of 'free man for a free man' and 'female for a female' in this verse refers to a specific event in the background of which it was revealed.

On the authority of Ibn Abi Hatim ؓ 1, Ibn Kathir (رح) has reported that, just before the advent of Islam, war broke out between two tribes. Many men and women, free and slaves, belonging to both, were killed. Their case was still undecided when the Islamic period set in and the two tribes entered the fold of Islam. Now that they were Muslims, they started talking about retaliation for those killed on each side. One of the tribes which was more powerful insisted that they would not agree to anything less than that a free man for their slave and a man for their woman be killed from the other side.

It was to refute this barbaric demand on their part that this verse was revealed. By saying 'free man for a free man, slave for a slave and female for a female' it is intended to negate their absurd demand that a free man for a slave and man for a woman should be killed in retaliation, even though he may not be the killer. The just law that Islam enforced was that the killer is the one who has to be killed in Qisas قصاص . If a woman is the killer why should an innocent man be killed in retaliation? Similarly, if the killer is a slave, there is no sense in retaliating against an innocent free man. This is an injustice which can never be tolerated in Islam.

This verse means nothing but what has been stated earlier, and we repeat, that the one who has killed will be the one to be killed in Qisas قصاص . It is not permissible to kill an innocent man or someone free for a killer, woman or slave. Let us hasten to clarify that the verse does not mean that Qisas قصاص will not be taken from a man who kills a woman or from a free man who kills a slave. In the very beginning of this verse the words الْقِصَاصُ فِي الْقَتْلَى: "The Qisas قصاص has been enjoined upon you in the case of those murdered" are a clear proof of this universality of application. There are other verses where this aspect has been stated more explicitly, for instance, in النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ (the person for the person).3. If, in a case of intentional killing the murderer is given full pardon, for instance, should both of the two surviving sons of the deceased pardon and forego their right of retaliation, the killer is free of any claim against him.

In case the pardon is not that full, for instance, as illustrated above, one of the two surviving sons does pardon the killer while the other does not, the result will be that the killer will stand released right there from the retaliatory punishment, but the one who has not pardoned the killer will be entitled to half of the blood-money (diyah). In Shari'ah, this diyah amounts to one hundred camels or one thousand dinars or ten thousand dirhams درھم or approximately nineteen pounds of silver according to current weights and measures.4. The way an incomplete pardon makes payment of blood-money necessary, in the same manner, a mutual settlement between parties concerned on a certain amount makes retaliation inapplicable and payment of the agreed amount becomes necessary. This, however, is governed by some conditions which appear in books of fiqh فقہ .5. Under the Islamic law, the inheritors of the person killed, whatever their number, will inherit and own the right of retaliation and blood-money in accordance with their share in the inheritance.

If blood-money is taken, it will be distributed among the inheritors in accordance with their share in the inheritance. And should Qisas قصاص (even retaliation) become the choice, the right of Qisas قصاص will also be commonly shared by all. Since Qisas is indivisible, the pardon given by any one of the inheritors will hold good and the pardon will become inclusive of the right of retaliation held by other inheritors. However, they shall receive the blood-money amount according to their share.6. It is true that the right of even retaliation is vested in the legal heirs of the persons killed but, in accordance with the consensus of the Muslim community, they do not have the right to settle the score all by themselves, in other words, they cannot kill the killer on their own, instead, they have to seek the help of a Muslim ruler or his deputy to realize their right. The reason is that Qisas قصاص is an intricate issue when it comes to details which are simply out of reach for an average person.

Therefore, the legal heirs of the person killed, not knowing the particular circumstances when retaliation does, or does not become necessary, may commit some sort of excess under the heat of their anger. So, by a unanimous agreement of the scholars of the Muslim community, it is necessary that the right of retaliation be secured and made effective through the agency of an Islamic government. (Qurtubi)

يقول تعالى : ( كتب عليكم ) العدل في القصاص أيها المؤمنون حركم بحركم ، وعبدكم بعبدكم ، وأنثاكم بأنثاكم ، ولا تتجاوزوا وتعتدوا ، كما اعتدى من قبلكم وغيروا حكم الله فيهم ، وسبب ذلك قريظة و [ بنو ] النضير ، كانت بنو النضير قد غزت قريظة في الجاهلية وقهروهم ، فكان إذا قتل النضري القرظي لا يقتل به ، بل يفادى بمائة وسق من التمر ، وإذا قتل القرظي النضري قتل به ، وإن فادوه فدوه بمائتي وسق من التمر ضعف دية القرظي ، فأمر الله بالعدل في القصاص ، ولا يتبع سبيل المفسدين المحرفين ، المخالفين لأحكام الله فيهم ، كفرا وبغيا ، فقال تعالى : ( كتب عليكم القصاص في القتلى الحر بالحر والعبد بالعبد والأنثى بالأنثى ) .وذكر في [ سبب ] نزولها ما رواه الإمام أبو محمد بن أبي حاتم : حدثنا أبو زرعة ، حدثنا يحيى بن عبد الله بن بكير حدثني عبد الله بن لهيعة ، حدثني عطاء بن دينار ، عن سعيد بن جبير ، في قول الله تعالى : ( يا أيها الذين آمنوا كتب عليكم القصاص في القتلى ) يعني : إذا كان عمدا ، الحر بالحر .

وذلك أن حيين من العرب اقتتلوا في الجاهلية قبل الإسلام بقليل ، فكان بينهم قتل وجراحات ، حتى قتلوا العبيد والنساء ، فلم يأخذ بعضهم من بعض حتى أسلموا ، فكان أحد الحيين يتطاول على الآخر في العدة والأموال ، فحلفوا ألا يرضوا حتى يقتل بالعبد منا الحر منهم ، وبالمرأة منا الرجل منهم ، فنزلت فيهم .( الحر بالحر والعبد بالعبد والأنثى بالأنثى ) منها منسوخة ، نسختها ( النفس بالنفس ) [ المائدة : 45 ] .وقال علي بن أبي طلحة عن ابن عباس في قوله : ( والأنثى بالأنثى ) وذلك أنهم لا يقتلون الرجل بالمرأة ، ولكن يقتلون الرجل بالرجل ، والمرأة بالمرأة فأنزل الله : النفس بالنفس والعين بالعين ، فجعل الأحرار في القصاص سواء فيما بينهم من العمد رجالهم ونساؤهم في النفس ، وفيما دون النفس ، وجعل العبيد مستوين فيما بينهم من العمد في النفس وفيما دون النفس رجالهم ونساؤهم ، وكذلك روي عن أبي مالك أنها منسوخة بقوله : ( النفس بالنفس ) .مسألة : مذهب أبي حنيفة أن الحر يقتل بالعبد لعموم آية المائدة ، وإليه ذهب الثوري وابن أبي ليلى وداود ، وهو مروي عن علي ، وابن مسعود ، وسعيد بن المسيب ، وإبراهيم النخعي ، وقتادة ، والحكم ، وقال البخاري ، وعلي بن المديني وإبراهيم النخعي والثوري في رواية عنه : ويقتل السيد بعبده ; لعموم حديث الحسن عن سمرة : " من قتل عبده قتلناه ، ومن جذعه جذعناه ، ومن خصاه خصيناه " وخالفهم الجمهور وقالوا : لا يقتل الحر بالعبد ; لأن العبد سلعة لو قتل خطأ لم تجب فيه دية ، وإنما تجب فيه قيمته ، وأنه لا يقاد بطرفه ففي النفس بطريق أولى ، وذهب الجمهور إلى أن المسلم لا يقتل بالكافر ، كما ثبت في البخاري عن علي ، قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " لا يقتل مسلم بكافر " ولا يصح حديث ولا تأويل يخالف هذا ، وأما أبو حنيفة فذهب إلى أنه يقتل به لعموم آية المائدة .مسألة : قال الحسن وعطاء : لا يقتل الرجل بالمرأة لهذه الآية ، وخالفهم الجمهور لآية المائدة ; ولقوله عليه السلام : " المسلمون تتكافأ دماؤهم " وقال الليث : إذا قتل الرجل امرأته لا يقتل بها خاصة .مسألة : ومذهب الأئمة الأربعة والجمهور أن الجماعة يقتلون بالواحد ; قال عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه في غلام قتله سبعة فقتلهم ، وقال : لو تمالأ عليه أهل صنعاء لقتلتهم ، ولا يعرف له في زمانه مخالف من الصحابة ، وذلك كالإجماع .

وحكي عن الإمام أحمد رواية : أن الجماعة لا يقتلون بالواحد ، ولا يقتل بالنفس إلا نفس واحدة . وحكاه ابن المنذر عن معاذ وابن الزبير ، وعبد الملك بن مروان والزهري ومحمد بن سيرين وحبيب بن أبي ثابت ; ثم قال ابن المنذر : وهذا أصح ، ولا حجة لمن أباح قتل الجماعة . وقد ثبت عن ابن الزبير ما ذكرناه ، وإذا اختلف الصحابة فسبيله النظر .وقوله : ( فمن عفي له من أخيه شيء فاتباع بالمعروف وأداء إليه بإحسان ) قال مجاهد عن ابن عباس : ( فمن عفي له من أخيه شيء ) فالعفو : أن يقبل الدية في العمد ، وكذا روي عن أبي العالية ، وأبي الشعثاء ، ومجاهد ، وسعيد بن جبير ، وعطاء ، والحسن ، وقتادة ، ومقاتل بن حيان .وقال الضحاك عن ابن عباس : ( فمن عفي له من أخيه شيء ) يقول : فمن ترك له من أخيه شيء يعني : [ بعد ] أخذ الدية بعد استحقاق الدم ، وذلك العفو ( فاتباع بالمعروف ) يقول : فعلى الطالب اتباع بالمعروف إذا قبل الدية ( وأداء إليه بإحسان ) يعني : من القاتل من غير ضرر ولا معك ، يعني : المدافعة .وروى الحاكم من حديث سفيان ، عن عمرو ، عن مجاهد ، عن ابن عباس : ويؤدي المطلوب بإحسان .

وكذا قال سعيد بن جبير ، وأبو الشعثاء جابر بن زيد ، والحسن ، وقتادة ، وعطاء الخراساني ، والربيع بن أنس ، والسدي ، ومقاتل بن حيان .مسألة : قال مالك رحمه الله في رواية ابن القاسم عنه وهو المشهور ، وأبو حنيفة وأصحابه والشافعي في أحد قوليه : ليس لولي الدم أن يعفو على الدية إلا برضا القاتل ، وقال الباقون : له أن يعفو عليها وإن لم يرض القاتل ، وذهب طائفة من السلف إلى أنه ليس للنساء عفو ، منهم الحسن ، وقتادة ، والزهري ، وابن شبرمة ، والليث ، والأوزاعي ، وخالفهم الباقون .وقوله : ( ذلك تخفيف من ربكم ورحمة ) يقول تعالى : إنما شرع لكم أخذ الدية في العمد تخفيفا من الله عليكم ورحمة بكم ، مما كان محتوما على الأمم قبلكم من القتل أو العفو ، كما قال سعيد بن منصور :حدثنا سفيان ، عن عمرو بن دينار ، أخبرني مجاهد ، عن ابن عباس ، قال : كتب على بني إسرائيل القصاص في القتلى ، ولم يكن فيهم العفو ، فقال الله لهذه الأمة ( كتب عليكم القصاص في القتلى الحر بالحر والعبد بالعبد والأنثى بالأنثى فمن عفي له من أخيه شيء ) فالعفو أن يقبل الدية في العمد ، ذلك تخفيف [ من ربكم ورحمة ] مما كتب على من كان قبلكم ، فاتباع بالمعروف وأداء إليه بإحسان .وقد رواه غير واحد عن عمرو [ بن دينار ] وأخرجه ابن حبان في صحيحه ، عن عمرو بن دينار ، به .

[ وقد رواه البخاري والنسائي عن ابن عباس ] ; ورواه جماعة عن مجاهد عن ابن عباس ، بنحوه .وقال قتادة : ( ذلك تخفيف من ربكم ) رحم الله هذه الأمة وأطعمهم الدية ، ولم تحل لأحد قبلهم ، فكان أهل التوراة إنما هو القصاص وعفو ليس بينهم أرش وكان أهل الإنجيل إنما هو عفو أمروا به ، وجعل لهذه الأمة القصاص والعفو والأرش .وهكذا روي عن سعيد بن جبير ، ومقاتل بن حيان ، والربيع بن أنس ، نحو هذا .وقوله : ( فمن اعتدى بعد ذلك فله عذاب أليم ) يقول تعالى : فمن قتل بعد أخذ الدية أو قبولها ، فله عذاب من الله أليم موجع شديد .وكذا روي عن ابن عباس ، ومجاهد ، وعطاء ، وعكرمة ، والحسن ، وقتادة ، والربيع بن أنس ، والسدي ، ومقاتل بن حيان : أنه هو الذي يقتل بعد أخذ الدية ، كما قال محمد بن إسحاق ، عن الحارث بن فضيل ، عن سفيان بن أبي العوجاء ، عن أبي شريح الخزاعي : أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال :" من أصيب بقتل أو خبل فإنه يختار إحدى ثلاث : إما أن يقتص ، وإما أن يعفو ، وإما أن يأخذ الدية ; فإن أراد الرابعة فخذوا على يديه .

ومن اعتدى بعد ذلك فله نار جهنم خالدا فيها " رواه أحمد .وقال سعيد بن أبي عروبة ، عن قتادة ، عن الحسن ، عن سمرة ، قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " لا أعافي رجلا قتل بعد أخذ الدية " يعني : لا أقبل منه الدية بل أقتله .