Killing Based on Religion, Ethnicity, or Race: An Islamic, Social, and Ethical Analysis

By Kaniz Fatima, New Age Islam 7 May 2025 Introduction The bond of humanity is a divine gift, intricately woven with threads of compassion, mutual respect, and love. But when this sacred bond is strangled by the poisoned noose of prejudice, hatred, and a delusional sense of superiority, humans become enemies of their own kind. The modern world, despite its claims of progress and enlightenment, continues to witness bloodshed based on religion, race, and ethnicity—an enduring tragedy that stains the pages of our so-called civilized era. This is not merely a question of lost lives; it is a sign of deep ethical decay, social disintegration, and a grave threat to global peace. Islam, a religion sent as a mercy to all creation, not only condemns such acts in the strongest terms but also considers the fight against such injustice a fundamental obligation of faith. Islam’s Clear Prohibition of Unjust Killing In the eyes of Islam, the sanctity of human life holds the highest rank among moral values. The Qur’an declares with profound clarity: "Whoever kills a person—unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land—it is as if he has slain all of mankind." (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32) This verse categorically brands the unjust killing of any soul, regardless of their faith, race, or nationality, as a crime against all of humanity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) further emphasized this when he said: “The murder of a believer is more grievous to Allah than the destruction of the entire world.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i) These teachings make it clear that human life is not to be trivialized or taken lightly. Taking a single life unjustly invites divine wrath. Denouncing Superiority Based on Race, Colour, or Nationality Islam outright rejects all notions of racial or ethnic supremacy. In the Qur’an, Allah reminds us: “O mankind! We created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13) During the Prophet’s Farewell Sermon—a defining moment in human rights history—he declared: “No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, and no white person is superior to a black person—except by righteousness and good conduct.” (Musnad Ahmad) These declarations serve as timeless lessons: Islam recognizes moral character—not birth, colour, or creed—as the true measure of a person. The Age of Ignorance and Islam’s Revolutionary Message Before Islam, Arab society was shackled by tribalism, racism, and blind loyalty to clans. Petty disputes escalated into decades-long wars. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) challenged these unjust traditions head-on and said: “Leave behind tribalism—it is a foul stench!” (Sahih Muslim) He led a moral and social revolution that elevated former slaves and non-Arabs to positions of dignity and leadership. Figures such as Bilal al-Habashi, Salman the Persian, and Suhayb the Roman became symbols of Islam’s egalitarian spirit—rising to heights never before imagined in that stratified society. Contemporary Realities: Faith, Race, and Identity as Pretexts for Violence Tragically, even in our globally connected and technologically advanced world, rivers of blood still flow in the name of faith and identity. Several harrowing examples remind us of this ongoing crisis: Myanmar: The ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims, condemned by the United Nations as one of the worst crimes of the century. China: The systematic persecution of Uighur Muslims, including internment camps and religious suppression. India: A surge in hate speech, mob lynching, and discrimination against Muslims and Dalits. Pakistan and Bangladesh: Reports of mistreatment of Hindu and other non-Muslim minorities continue to emerge. These are not isolated tragedies; they represent a collective failure of the global conscience. They also underscore that such violence is not confined to one religion, region, or people—it is a humanitarian crisis. Universal Religious Teachings Oppose Unjust Killing It is not Islam alone that forbids murder on these grounds; nearly every major faith echoes the same sacred truth: Christianity: “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) Hinduism: “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma” — Non-violence is the highest virtue. Buddhism: Every sentient being has a sacred right to life; harming any is against Dharma. These teachings reaffirm a universal moral code that transcends boundaries and creeds. They strengthen the argument that killing based on identity is not just a sin in Islam—it is a crime against every divine law known to humanity. The Moral and Human Rights Perspective Globally, human rights instruments also enshrine the right to life as sacred: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 3) states: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.” Ethical frameworks across cultures uphold the same principle: the loss of a single innocent life is a wound to the collective soul of society. It is not just a personal crime—it is moral bankruptcy at the societal level. Conclusion: A Call to Conscience and Action Islam envisions a just and inclusive world where every person—regardless of race, faith, or background—lives with dignity and safety. This vision is not utopian; it is deeply rooted in the Prophetic model that transformed a fractured society into a beacon of justice and unity. Today, more than ever, the world needs to embrace the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who taught love in place of hatred, tolerance instead of prejudice, and humanity above all identities. What must we do? · Embrace and promote the true teachings of Islam. · Reject every form of discrimination and hate—whether subtle or systemic. · Engage with the teachings of other faiths that promote peace and dignity. · Raise our voices at national and international forums for justice and human rights. This is how we can build a world that rises above race, religion, and ethnicity—a world where humanity reigns supreme. ---- Kaniz Fatima is an Islamic scholar and a regular columnist to New Age Islam. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-sectarianism/killing-religion-ethnicity-race-ethical/d/135452 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism