§7: “Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
Quran & Hadith Contradictions & Misconceptions
Quran 5:32 has been so misquoted, adulterated, dissimulated, that it is necessary to openly discuss it and examine its real meaning to dispel further falsehoods told around it.
Contents
Quran 5:32
This morning, 10.10.10 on BBC, “Sunday Morning Live” I heard an Sunni Imam, Ajmal Masoor, who is also a politician say:
“Whoever kills a person [innocent person]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
(Note: That remark has been edited out of the iPlayer version:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vf0x0/Sunday_Morning_Live_Episode_13/ ) [1]Different translations of Quran: 5:32
[5.32] For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our apostles came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the land. (U of Michigan’s translation.)
005.032
YUSUFALI: On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one 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 any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our messengers with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.
PICKTHAL: For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.
SHAKIR: For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our messengers came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the land.
Bijan Moeinian: Based upon this incidence, I decreed to the children of Israel (and such passages are missing in the existing bibles except a few verses in Thalmud) that: “Whoever kills a human being (unless the latter being guilty of murder or spreading corruption on earth) should be looked upon as though he has killed the entire humanity and whoever saves a life should be considered as the savior of whole mankind.” However, in spite of many Prophets which came to them with undeniable miracles, the majority of them chose to disregard the Divine laws.
Muhd Ahmed Scimira: That is why We decreed for the children of Israel that whosoever kills a human being, except (as punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption in the land, it shall be like killing all humanity; and whosoever saves a life, saves the entire human race. Our apostles brought clear proofs to them; but even after that most of them committed excesses in the land.
Sher Ali: That is why We decreed for the children of Israel that whosoever kills a human being, except (as punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption in the land, it shall be like killing all humanity; and whosoever saves a life, saves the entire human race. Our apostles brought clear proofs to them; but even after that most of them committed excesses in the land. Q: 5:32 alt
[2]
Analysis of the various translations of Quran 5:32
It is quite apparent that “Whoever kills a person….it is as though he killed all mankind” is completely misleading and dishonest and is intended as a dissimulation. It is as though it is saying that Allah disapproves of killing (of any kind) i.e. “whoever kills… is killing mankind.” It is misleading because it is out of context and it was abbreviated deliberately to deceive those not familiar with the Quran. Because when the verse is read in full it implies that “when the person is a murderer, or someone who inciting sedition,” that killing him is justified. And in the eyes of Muslims, all non-Muslims who reject Allah and Islam are “spreading corruption”(are thus enemies of Islam and cannot be innocent) and are legitimate targets to be killed. But it does imply (to Muslims) that killing another (innocent) Muslim would be synonymous to killing all mankind. (That, I believe was Muhammad’s intended meaning of that verse.)
Umar ibn Kathir (1301-1373) – Tafsir
Let me quote from Umar ibn Kathir (1301-1373) a foremost Tafsir(interpreter) writer, (another source to illustrate that this concept is not unique or bigoted or modern.) [3] :
So, strictly speaking, verse 5:32 is only applicable to the children of Israel (the verse says it). Any way, to be fair, we shall ignore this limitation and concentrate on the wider meaning:
On the surface of it, the first sentence (Islamists often quote only the first sentence, conveniently hiding the next sentence) of verse 5:32 seems very munificence and non-violent. What does the next sentence say? It says clearly that even when Allah sent His messengers many people disbelieved them. Muhammad was one of such messengers, the best and the last. Therefore, “those who disbelieve in Muhammad and Allah (i.e. the non-Muslims) are the transgressors. Evidently, the non-Muslims are the mischief-makers on earth. Logically, these non-Muslims do not fall under the purview of the merciful provisions of verse 5:32. In simple language, this means: verse 5:32 is applicable only to the Muslims. To confirm this, let me quote ibn Kathir the foremost Tafsir writer:
Beginning of Kathir’s quote
(if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.) ***Saving life in this case occurs by not killing a soul that Allah has forbidden (A Muslim.) So this is the meaning of saving the life of all mankind, for whoever forbids killing a soul without justification, the lives of all people will be saved from him.” Similar was said by Mujahid;
[وَمَنْ أَحْيَـهَا]
(And if anyone saved a life…) means, he refrains from killing a soul. Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said that Allah’s statement,
[فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً]
(it would be as if he killed all mankind. .) means, ***“Whoever kills one soul **’that Allah has forbidden killing,’ is just like he who kills all mankind.” Sa’id bin Jubayr said, “He who allows himself to shed the blood of a Muslim, is like he who allows shedding the blood of all people. He who forbids shedding the blood of one Muslim, is like he who forbids shedding the blood of all people.” In addition, Ibn Jurayj said that Al-A`raj said that Mujahid commented on the Ayah,
[فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً]
(it would be as if he killed all mankind,) ***“He who kills a believing soul (*believer in Islam) intentionally, Allah makes the Fire of Hell his abode, He will become angry with him, and curse him, and has prepared a tremendous punishment for him, equal to if he had killed all people, his punishment will still be the same.” Ibn Jurayj said that Mujahid said that the Ayah,
[وَمَنْ أَحْيَـهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً]
(and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.) means, “He who does not kill anyone, then the lives of people are safe from him.”
End of Kathir’s quote.
There you are! This tafsir by Kathir says ***when a Muslim is killed it is as if the entire humanity is killed. When an infidel is killed it has no relevance. Similarly, when a Believer’s (i.e. Muslim’s) life is saved it is as if the entire humanity is saved. You see, in the Qur’an and in Islam what matters most is the lives of Muslims and not the lives of infidels. [4]
Why do the erudite Islamists of the Fiqh Council of North America want to hide this truth?
This answer can also be found in the Qur’an.
Please note: ***there are at least 18 verses in the Qur’an which ask for the pre-emptive murder of the kafirs (infidels). But, it is not that simple to annihilate all the unbelievers just like that. It needs time, patience, plan, strategies, weapons and pretexts to wage a campaign of total slaughter of the non-Muslims. We observe this clever procedure is followed by the true Islamists and the suicide bombers. Even the former Prime Minister of Malaysia , Dr Mahathir Mohammad had asked the Muslims to acquire modern weapons to wage a war against the Jews. He purposely, did not mention the entire non-Muslim population, simply because his country is precariously dependent upon the investment of these infidels.
When the situation does not permit the Islamists to openly declare the murder of infidels, Allah asks them not to be friendly with them. Here are a few verses that tell the Muslims not to befriend the non-Muslims:
Do not take unbelievers as friends; caution is necessary to befriend the unbelievers…3:28
3:28 Let not the believers take the disbelievers as Auliyâ (supporters, helpers, etc.) instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be helped by Allâh in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from them. And Allâh warns you against Himself (His Punishment), and to Allâh is the final return.
In pure Islamic Paradises one will surely note this verse being fully practised. You will observe very little co-operation between the Muslims and the non-Muslims. The interaction between the aggressive Muslims and the feeble non-Muslim minority is almost non-existent. In some Islamic societies (like Malaysia , Brunei ) Muslims are not even allowed to patronize non-Muslim restaurants and eateries. In an Islamic State like Brunei , there are signboards in Malay language inside all non-Muslim restaurants stating, “Bukan Makanan orang Islam (food here is not for the Muslims)”. Similar warnings are also implied in Malaysia or in other Islamic countries.
This is the limit of tolerance and friendship (with infidels) in Islam!
Now, when the Islamists migrate to infidel lands, they simply hide those truths. They become sheer hypocrites. Outwardly, they pretend to show a friendly face, but inwardly, they remain as hateful, vicious and cantankerous towards the non-Muslim as before. Why should they have this double-face?—one might wonder. Once again, the answer is also contained in the above verse (3:28). This verse tells the Muslims to exercise caution when befriending the infidels. In fact, what it really means is: when weak, the Muslims are allowed to be hypocrites in dealing with the non-Muslims. They are permitted to tell lies and hide the truth about their religion.
Once again, I will prove my assertion by quoting from ibn Kathir
Start of Kathir’s quote:
The Prohibition of Supporting the Disbelievers
…………………………………………………………
Allah said next,
[إِلاَ أَن تَتَّقُواْ مِنْهُمْ تُقَـةً]
(unless you indeed fear a danger from them) meaning, except those believers who in some areas or times fear for their safety from the disbelievers. In this case, such believers are allowed to show friendship to the disbelievers outwardly, but never inwardly. For instance, Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Ad-Darda’ said, “We smile in the face of some people although our hearts curst them.” Al-Bukhari said that Al-Hasan said, The Tuqyah (Taqiyya) is allowed until the Day of Ressurection.” Allah said,
[وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللَّهُ نَفْسَهُ]
End of Kathir’s quote.
Islam even forbids Muslims to be in friendly terms with their non-Muslim parents or kindred. In Islamic parlance, even verbal criticism of Islam means oppression. If a non-Muslim father or a non-Muslim brother of a convert (to Islam) utters any words and/or makes any grimaces that is offensive to the nascent Muslim convert, it is deemed to be oppressive/blasphemy. Therefore, as per Islamic rule a retaliation becomes due. Muslims are now allowed to murder them even though they might be their father, brother or sister.
Do you not believe this? Read the following Qur’anic verse.
The believers should not take even their fathers, brothers, or sons as friends if they resist God and Muhammad; these types of believers are the party of God, that is, the believers cannot be friendly with the unbelievers even though they are their blood… 58:22
58:22 You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. they are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be successful. (ibn Kathir)
***Non-Muslims are Never Innocent(in the eyes of Islam) – They deny Allah and his Prophet
Views of a Respected Imam
UK Imam: “Non-Muslims are never innocent, they are guilty of denying Allah and his prophet”
APRIL 1, 2008 4:54 PM BY
The Anjem Chaudary video has, of course, been circulating for quite some time — it was already old when we posted it in December 2006 — but it bears repeating whenever you hear a Muslim spokesman in the West claiming that Islam forbids the killing of innocent civilians. Why is it so hard to get a definition of “innocent” in this context?
“Report: Non-Muslims Deserve to Be Punished,” from FoxNews (thanks to PNM):
A report posted on Islam Watch, a site run by Muslims who oppose intolerant teachings and hatred for unbelievers, exposes a prominent Islamic cleric and lawyer who support extreme punishment for non-Muslims “” including killing and rape.
A question-and-answer session with Imam Abdul Makin in an East London mosque asks why Allah would tell Muslims to kill and rape innocent non-Muslims, including their wives and daughters, according to Islam Watch.
“Because non-Muslims are never innocent, they are guilty of denying Allah and his prophet,” the Imam says, according to the report. “If you don’t believe me, here is the legal authority, the top Muslim lawyer of Britain.”
The lawyer, Anjem Choudary, backs up the Imam’s position, saying that all Muslims are innocent.
Click here to watch the interview with Islamic lawyer Anjem Choudary.
“You are innocent if you are a Muslim,” Choudary tells the BBC. “Then you are innocent in the eyes of God(Allah). If you are not a Muslim, then you are guilty of not believing in God(Allah).”
Choudary said he would not condemn a Muslim for any action.
“As a Muslim, I must support my Muslim brothers and sisters,” Choudary said. “I must have hatred to everything that is not Muslim.” [5]
Concluding Comments Ending Dissimulation:
Quran 5:32 Has either been used ignorantly or surreptitiously in such a way as to portray, innocently or maliciously, the munificence of Islam by the simply contraction of the verse to the following and saying the Quran says,
“Whoever kills a person……it is as though he has killed mankind.”
This implies that the Quran believes killing another person is abhorrent and it is not Islamic. But as the above has shown, the contraction has altered the meaning of the verse 5:32 altogether and is a dissimulation. However for a non-Muslim to arrive at such a conclusion would appear bigoted, thus it was necessary to quote, at lengths, Tafsirs from respected Muslims like Umar ibn Kathir to provide the irrefutable evidence needed to show authentication.
This article should put to rest any further ambiguity regarding Qur’an 5:32
Addendum
It appears that this article has troubled many Muslims who have read it. Thus I felt that the article has not sufficiently covered the salient points I have attempted to convey, thus I will extend my analysis. Many Muslims still adhere to:
“Whoever kills a person [innocent person]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
Indeed, on the surface it sounds a very noble cosmopolitan philosophy but it is totally out of context with the totality of the Islamic Quranic ideology and thus a total dissimulation as it stands. To prove that it is totally out of context I will quote a few Islamic verses to show why I believe this is so.
Muslim (1:33) – the Messenger of Allah said: I have been commanded to fight against people (infidels) till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Bukhari (8:387) – Allah’s Apostle said, “I have been ordered to fight the people (infidels) till they say: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’. And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally.”
Muslim (1:30) – “The Messenger of Allah said: I have been commanded to fight against people(infidel) so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah.”
Tabari 7:97 The morning after the murder of Ashraf, the Prophet declared, “Kill any Jew who falls under your power.”
Bukhari (52:73) – “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords’.”
Then in case Women and children are considered “innocent?” I quote:
Tabari 9:69 “Killing Unbelievers is a small matter to us” The words of Muhammad, prophet of Islam.
Bukhari (52:256) – The Prophet… was asked whether it was permissible to attack the pagan warriors at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, “They (i.e. women and children) are from them (i.e. pagans).”
In this command, Muhammad establishes that it is permissible to kill non-combatants in the process of killing a perceived enemy. This provides justification for the many Islamic terror bombings. ***[The Prophet makes it very clear that a non-Muslim (infidel) is a legitimate target for death. It also implies that only Muslims can be innocent, but never infidels. This is a point missed by most apologists for Islam.]
Quran (2:244) – “Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things.”
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
Quran (3:56) – “As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help.”
***Quran (3:151) – “Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority”. This speaks directly of polytheists, yet it also includes Christians, since they believe in the Trinity (ie. what Muhammad incorrectly believed to be ‘joining companions to Allah’).
Quran (4:74) – “Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward.” The martyrs of Islam are unlike the early Christians, who were led meekly to the slaughter. These Muslims are killed in battle as they attempt to inflict death and destruction for the cause of Allah. This is the theological basis for today’s suicide bombers.
Quran (4:76) – “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…”
Quran (4:89) – “They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.”
Quran (4:95) –
***“Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-“ This passage criticizes “peaceful” Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah’s eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that “Jihad” doesn’t mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is the Arabic word used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man’s protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad and this is reflected in other translations of the verse).
Quran (4:104) – “And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain…” Is pursuing an injured and retreating enemy really an act of self-defense?
***Quran (5:33) – “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and *****strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement”
***Quran (8:12) – “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them” No reasonable person would interpret this to mean a spiritual struggle.
Quran (8:15) – “O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them. (16)Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless maneuvering for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey’s end.”
Quran (8:39) – “And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion should be only for Allah”
Some translations interpret “fitna” as “persecution”, but the traditional understanding of this word is not supported by the historical context (See notes for 2:193). The Meccans were simply refusing Muhammad access to their city during Haj. Other Muslims were allowed to travel there – just not as an armed group, since Muhammad had declared war on Mecca prior to his eviction. The Meccans were also acting in defense of their religion, since it was Muhammad’s intention to destroy their idols and establish Islam by force (which he later did). Hence the critical part of this verse is to fight until “religion is only for Allah”, meaning that the true justification of violence was the unbelief of the opposition. According to the Sira (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 324) Muhammad further explains that “Allah must have no rivals.”
Quran (8:57) – “If thou comest on them in the war, deal with them so as to strike fear in those who are behind them, that haply they may remember.”
Quran (8:67) – “It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he had made a great slaughter in the land…”
Conclusions
There is no doubt that Islam is a Totalitarian Supremacist Theocracy that has no mercy for infidels. There are also no innocent infidels, they are all guilty of “mischief against Allah” and are not a part of mankind.
ESSENTIAL EPILOGUE (added on 22 November, 2015)
This article on Quran 5:32 has attracted much attention from Muslims some of whom are quite distressed and disturbed with its contents. This is probably because I have not presented it thoroughly enough, so I will make an attempt to be more plain in my analysis. I will restrict myself to referring to Islamic religious texts in my analysis.
Why Quran 5:32 is Out of Context with the Quran and Ahadith
(1) “Whoever kills a person [innocent person]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
We have already discussed that a Jew, Christian or Idol worshipper are NEVER an innocent person. No where in the Quran has a Jew, Christian or Idol worshipper ever been referred to as an innocent person. Only Muslims can be innocent.
(2) [5.32] For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or “for mischief in the land,” (non-Muslims) it is as though he slew all men; (Another version)
What is considered spreading “mischief in the land?”
Fasad (Arabic: فساد /fasād/) is an Islamic concept which means spreading mischief in a Muslim land, moral corruption against God, and any form of expression or activity by non-Muslims or apostates of Islam that “creates disorder in the Muslim community.”
***So “spreading mischief ” is a code term to clearly refer to non-Muslims and never to devout Muslims. So it becomes clear that it does not apply to, “those who spread mischief in Muslim land or non-Muslims. This cannot be clearer.
So it should be abundantly clear that most Muslims have been misled or misunderstood Quran 5:32
I just hope that Muslims will read this article slowly and digest every word carefully to understand the analysis made. This analysis has not been made to discredit Quran 5:32, only to interpret it as Muhammad would have intended it to be. In fact Quran 5:32 is defending the integrity of the Muslims as Muhammad had intended i.e., ***That a Muslim must never kill another Muslim but with only the above exceptions.
What, I believe, is so distressing to most Muslims when they read this article is that, “they cannot accept that what they believed as one of the NOBLE tenets of Islam has been so badly misunderstood by them for all these years with this new analysis of Quran 5:32”
Thus Quran 5:32 should read as follows:
“Whoever[a Muslim] kills a person [another innocent Muslim] [innocent person]… unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land [blaspheming against Allah – apostasy or any non-Muslim],it is as though he has killed all [of Islamic] mankind. And whoever saves a [Muslim] life, it is as though he had saved all [Islamic] mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32)
*****Any other meaning of the above is a corruption of that phrase, or out of context of the whole ethos of the Quran and Ahadith, and unworthy of consideration because it dissimulates its true meaning.
References:
[1] IPlayer:SundayMorningLive: Ajmal Masoor: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vf0x0/Sunday_Morning_Live_Episode_13/
[2] Alternate translations of Quran 5:32 http://www.islamawakened.com/Quran/5/32/default.htm
[3] Umar ibn Kathir (1301-1373): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Kathir
[4] ibn Kathir’s Tafsir: http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/AbulKasem50808.htm
[5] Anjem Choudhry on infidels: http://www.jihadwatch.org/2008/04/uk-imam-non-muslims-are-never-innocent-they-are-guilty-of-denying-allah-and-his-prophet
Investigating Philosophies, Culture, History, Myths 
Rafeeque
Hi Brother,
http://english.islammessage.com/articledetails.aspx?articleId=931
http://www.ilovezakirnaik.com/misconceptions/b02.htm