Intentional Killing (Qatl al-'Amd)

**Definition:** Intentional killing is when the killer intends to kill an inviolable person using something that would normally cause death. **Three Conditions for Intentional Killing:** 1. **Intent by the killer** - the will to kill 2. **The victim is inviolable** (protected by Sharia) - like a Muslim or a dhimmi 3. **The weapon is normally lethal** - whether sharp or blunt --- **Forms of Intentional Killing:** 1. Striking with a sharp object that cuts and penetrates the body (sword, knife, spear, etc.) 2. Killing with a heavy blunt object (large stone, hammer, etc.) 3. Preventing breath - strangling with rope, blocking mouth and nose until death 4. Poisoning with lethal poison in food or drink 5. Throwing into a deadly place with predators or without water 6. Throwing into water that drowns or fire that burns, with no escape 7. Imprisoning and denying food and water until death by starvation or thirst 8. Causing death by bearing false witness that leads to execution (adultery, apostasy, murder) --- **Ruling on Intentional Killing:** **1. Ruling in the Hereafter:** It is forbidden, sinful, and carries severe punishment - unless the person repents or Allah forgives. Allah says: "And whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and cursed him and prepared for him a great punishment" [An-Nisa: 93]. **2. Ruling in This World:** Qisas (retribution) is obligatory if the victim's family does not pardon. Allah says: "O you who believe, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct" [Al-Baqarah: 178]. Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Whoever has someone killed has a choice of two things: either to receive blood money or to have retaliation." In another narration: "Either retaliation or ransom" [Bukhari & Muslim]. The blood guardian has the choice between: Qisas, pardoning without compensation, or taking blood money (Diyah) instead of Qisas - and he may settle for more than the standard Diyah. Pardoning without compensation is best, as Allah says: "But if you pardon - that is nearer to righteousness" [Al-Baqarah: 237].