Prophet-Killers, Misleaders, and Idol-Makers Condemned
📖Musnad Ahmad 3868
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The people punished most severely on the Day of Resurrection are a man who was killed by a prophet or who killed a prophet, an Imam of misguidance, and a sculptor of graven images.”
This hadith shows that the worst punishment is for those who fight Allah’s messengers and for leaders who misguide people. Prophets only fought and killed when Allah commanded them, and always in justice – never oppression. They defended the oppressed and established truth, while their enemies rejected guidance and spread corruption.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 2:91
And when it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has revealed,” they say, “We believe only in what was sent down to us.” And they disbelieve in what came after it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say, “Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you are truly believers?”
📖Quran 3:21
Indeed, those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah and kill the prophets without right and kill those who order justice from among the people—give them tidings of a painful punishment.
📖Quran 33:67-68
And they will say, “Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our great men, and they misled us from the right way. Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse.
📖Quran 7:127
And the chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said, “Will you leave Moses and his people to spread corruption in the land and abandon you and your gods?” He said, “We will kill their sons and spare their women, for indeed we hold power over them.”
📖Quran 22:39
Permission to fight has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.
Examples where Allah allowed prophets to fight against injustice and punished the wrongdoers:
- Prophet Musa was commanded to confront Pharaoh when he oppressed the Children of Israel (Quran 7:127).
- Many prophets were resisted and murdered by their nations; Allah condemned their killers and promised them painful punishment (Quran 3:21).
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was given permission to fight only when the disbelievers fought and oppressed the Muslims (Quran 22:39).
- When nations persisted in evil after repeated warnings, Allah Himself destroyed them, sparing only those who forbade wrongdoing (Quran 7:165).
📖Quran 21:52
When he (Abraham) said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?
📖Quran 21:98
Indeed, you and whatever you worship other than Allah are the firewood of Hell. You will surely enter it.