groups to declare another an unbeliever or to regard the shedding of its members’ blood and the seizure of their property as lawful, even if that group unquestionably holds an innovation. How much more so if the group declaring it an unbeliever also holds innovations? The latter’s innovation may even be more grievous. In most cases, they are all ignorant of the true nature of the matters over which they differ.
The fundamental rule is that Muslims’ blood, property, and honour are inviolable among them, and may not be violated except by the permission of Allah and His Messenger. When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, addressed them during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he said:
“Your blood, your property, and your honour are inviolable among you, just as this day of yours is sacred, in this city of yours, in this month of yours.”
He also said:
“Every aspect of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honour.”
And he said:
“Whoever prays as we pray, faces our direction of prayer, and eats the meat we slaughter is a Muslim under the protection of Allah and His Messenger.”
He also said:
“When two Muslims confront one another with their swords, both the killer and the one killed will be in the Fire.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, we understand about the killer, but why the one killed?” He replied, “He intended to kill his companion.”
And he said:
“Do not become unbelievers after me, striking one another’s necks.”
He also said:
“If a Muslim says to his brother, ‘You unbeliever,’ one of the two incurs that designation.”
All these hadiths are found in the authentic collections.
If a Muslim acts on an interpretation when fighting or declaring someone an unbeliever, he is not thereby declared an unbeliever. Thus, Umar ibn al-Khattāb said concerning Hātib ibn Abī Balta‘ah, “O Messenger of Allah, let me strike this hypocrite’s neck.” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, replied, “He participated in the Battle of Badr. And how do you know? Perhaps Allah has looked upon