The Right to Life in Islam

The Noble and Lawful Defense

Another exception in the decree prohibiting suicide (depriving self of life) identified in Islam is defending one's own life, belongings or family. There are numerous quotations from the Prophet (S) expressing the significance of defending life, property or one's family. Hereunder we point to one of them:

"He, who fights to defend his own life, till he is killed, is a martyr. He, who gets killed while defending his own property, is a martyr. He, who kills to defend his family and gets killed, is a martyr. He, who gets killed for the cause of God, is a martyr."[^1]

Considering the rank of a martyr, defending the privacy of his life, property and family, is indicative of the value and significance Islam regards for countering invasion. Intrusion and oppression, regarding individual's security and man's family, in such an extent that Islam allows a man to endanger his own life to defend and save his own and his family's security, and to fight until he loses his life.

The Prophet (S) in another occasion said: "He, who opposes and resists tyranny and is seeking justice before being killed he is considered a martyr."[^2]

This is God's command that emphasizes:

…So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him. (Quran, 2:194)

[^1]: Kanz al- Ummal, Vol.4, P.425.

[^2]: Foroo'e Kafi, Vol. 5, P.52.