The End Does Not Justify the Means
The End Does Not Justify the Means
Machiavelli wrote a book titles “the Prince” in the form of a story, the jest of it is that the End Justifies the Means. This means that if man is striving to a great goal, there is no harm in trying every means even illegal or inhuman. This principle might take different forms such as that the welfare of the group takes precedent over the welfare of the individual. This might justify impeding on the individual’s right, and making the welfare of the individual secondary to that of the group.
These thoughts began to invade the Muslims thoughts and there are even Fatwas to that effect. Some might not see any harm in killing Muslims or civilians in general in the course of fighting the enemy. Considering that killing such innocent civilians is an unavoidable evil in the course of fighting the enemy.
Let us see if these thoughts are supported or refuted by Allah’s Book and His messenger’s Sunah, for both are the only basis for the Muslims Principles and Law.
Allah the Highest lied down a very important principle in Islam saying “HE WHO KILLS A SOUL NOT FOR ANOTHER SOUL OR GREAT MISCHEIF ON EARTH, HE IS LIKE KILLING ALL PEOPLE AND HE WHO GIVES IT LIFE IS LIKE GIVING LIFE TO ALL PEOPLE”. (S: 5 A: 32)
The principle in this Aiah is clear, and all embracing, and absolute applying to Muslims and non Muslims. However, Allah the Highest told us also that the soul of the Muslim is Sacred, “IT IS NOT FOR A BELIEVER TO KILL a BELIEVER EXCEPT BY ERROR (ACCIDENT). (S: 4 A: 92)
Accidental; means totally non-intentional even if due to neglect. Meaning that one did not intend to kill the other. However, to do something which one knows will lead to killing of a Muslim or Muslims and to carry on is Intentional Killing. For he who kills a believer intentionally, Allah the Highest promised the following “HE WHO KILLS A BELIEVER INTENTIONALLY, HIS RECOMPENSE IS THE HELL FIRE WHERE HE WILL ABIDE FOREVER, AND ALLAH’S WROTH UPON HIM, AND HE CURSED AND PREPARED A GREAT PUNISHMENT FOR HIM”. (S: 4 A: 93)
All these Aiahs of the Quran are clear as to the prohibition of killing in general and the intentional killing of a believer in particular. There are no exemptions to such prohibitions. As with the food when Allah the Highest made being compelled to eat or drink prohibited foods and drinks allowed when compelled as to save one’s life. Allah the Highest said : “HE HAS FORBIDDEN YOU (EATING) THE DEAD, THE BLOOD AND PIG’S FLESH AND WHAT HAD OTHER THAN THE NAME OF ALLAL MENTIONED ON, BUT HE WHO IS COMPELLED, NOT TRANSGRESSING OR UNJUSTLY THERE IS NO SIN UPON HIM, FOR ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING AND COMPASSIONATE” (S:2 A:173)
When the Muslim armies went out fighting, Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him used to command them not to kill children, women or old people. Also not to kill farmers or monks if they do not fight the Muslims, not to destroy churches or Jewish temples, homes or trees.
Allah’s messenger did not kill any one who testifies that there is not God other than Allah and Mohamed is His messenger even if he is a hypocrite. Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him did not kill Abd Allah Ibn Obi Ibn Salol who was the head of the hypocrites. He turned back with nearly 300 men out of a thousand whom going out of Medina to fight the disbelievers who came to fight them from Makah in a three thousand strong army.
Even when Abd Allah Ibn Obi’s son asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him to let him kill his own father, Allah’s messenger told him that he does not kill any one who says the Shahada.
When the Muslim army seizes Jerusalem during the time of Omar Ibn El Khatab, the leaders of the army offered its people total safety and security for their homes, money, churches and temples if they let them in without fight. The leaders of Jerusalem refused to take such promise except from Omar Ibn El-Khatab himself. The Muslims sent to Omar who traveled to Jerusalem with a servant sharing one Camel which they rode in turns.
Such was the importance of not shedding the blood of the Muslims and non Muslims, and such was the sanctity of people and place of worship.
