What is the ruling on honor killing?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Initially, preserving a soul is crucial in Islam; it should be preserved and protected, and that is why Allah stresses on keeping souls. Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also stresses on this. He prevented killing unless there is one of the three logical reasons. In this way, he protects human being from being killed haphazardly. He says: The blood of a Muslim who testifies that there is no God but Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah may not lawfully be shed but for one of three reasons: a life for a life (killing intentionally an innocent); a married man who commits fornication; and one who turns aside from his religion and abandons the community,” Agreed Upon.

Allah has also warned anyone who intentionally kills others to suffer the hardest torture. He says: “And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” An-Nisa’: 93

Therefore, a Muslim who commits fornication should not be killed unless they were married; in addition, some conditions should be totally applied.

There should be four witnesses who witness the fornication in full without any contradiction in their sayings; the ones who commit fornication should admit doing that without being under threat or without being obligated.

It is worth mentioning that even if all conditions are applied, the one who is authorized to punish them is the state represented by the Muslim ruler; the punishment should not be implemented by individuals so as to give each citizen their rights in defending themselves.

Comparing these restricted conditions to what is happening these days, we will discover that the majority of these crimes (honor killing) is committed depending on doubts. Some crimes are committed just because there is a relation between a boy and a girl, and this relation does not involve committing adultery. Even if they commit adultery as they are single, and it is still a major sin, their punishment in Islam is whipping them 100 whips only, but not killing them. Again, the judge should state that not the parents or brothers.

The worst thing is when the father or brothers are acting as the judge, and they carry out the rule. They do not let their children defend themselves. It happens frequently that they kill innocent children. Who can bring these innocents back to life?

Honor killing is not allowed in Islam, and parents should pay attention not to kill their children just depending on doubts. It is also important to note that parents usually kill their daughters because of honor, but they let their sons go. Is honor related to daughters only?