The Qur’an teaches that every human being has a special place in Allah’s creation irrespective of what faith or belief an individual chooses to profess. Allah says: “And we have certainly honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation.” (Qur’an 17:70)
In addition, Allah clearly describes the importance and sacredness of the life of every human being, and says,
“…if anyone slays a human being unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption on earth it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind. …” (Qur’an 5:32)
Every human irrespective of their faith, social standing or gender is a spiritual being whose life is sacred; thus, harming or taking it unjustly is a great sin and crime that is punishable by death, irrespective of the murdered person’s religious identity.
The equality of human life irrespective of faith, ethnicity, race or gender, etc. is clear from the equal regard the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah give to the punishment or “equitable retribution” (qisas) and recompense (diyyah) for taking of innocent life, whether murder or manslaughter, etc.
