Is intentional, unlawful killing prohibited?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Wounds
Primary text
Unlawful killing is unanimously prohibited by the Muslims based on the Quran, Sunnah, and Consensus. The foundational evidence from the Quran includes: 'And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right' (Quran 17:33), 'And never should a believer kill a believer except by mistake' (Quran 4:92), and 'But whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell' (Quran 4:93). The Sunnah supports this, as narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: 'The blood of a Muslim man is not permissible except for three reasons: a married man who commits adultery, a life for a life, and one who leaves his religion and separates from the community.' This hadith is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh).
Supporting text
There is a difference of opinion regarding the acceptance of repentance for intentional killing. The majority of scholars hold that committing this act renders one a sinner, and their affair is left to God, whose repentance is acceptable. Ibn Abbas, however, maintained that repentance is not accepted, relying on the verse mentioned previously, which he stated was among the last revealed and was not abrogated, because the literal wording implies a final judgment not subject to abrogation.