Lives, wealth, honor of believers made sacred
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 105, Sahih Muslim 1679
Abu Bakrah reported: The Prophet ﷺ said in the Farewell Sermon, “Verily, your lives, your property, and your reputations have been made sacred to you, just as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours. Will not the witness inform the absent?
Description
This hadith was delivered in the Prophet’s final sermon, emphasizing the three greatest trusts among people:
- Life – No one has the right to kill or harm another without just cause.
- Property – Wealth and belongings are protected; taking them unjustly is forbidden.
- Reputation – A believer’s honor must not be violated through slander, backbiting, or false accusations.
The Prophet ï·º equated their sanctity to the holiness of the Day of Arafah, the Month of Dhul-Hijjah, and the sacred land of Makkah – making it clear that violating these rights is a grave sin.
How They Are Made Sacred
- By Allah’s command – Allah Himself declared human life, wealth, and honor inviolable.
- By justice – Without protecting these, society collapses into oppression and chaos.
- By accountability – On the Day of Judgment, people will be questioned about how they respected or violated these trusts.
Quranic Verses
📖Quran 5:32
Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land — it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one — it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.
📖Quran 17:33
Do not kill the soul which Allah has made sacred, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly – We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in taking life. Indeed, he has been supported.
📖Quran 2:188
And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you to consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].
📖Quran 4:29
O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only in lawful business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is ever Merciful to you.
📖Quran 49:11-12
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames… And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.
These protection is first directed toward the believers, as the Prophet ﷺ addressed his companions. But it does not mean Islam allows injustice against non-Muslims. The Qur’an and Sunnah forbid theft, rape, and all forms of evil against anyone. Justice applies to all people, and wrongdoers are not forgiven simply because they target non-Muslims.