When two Muslims meet to fight each other with their swords, both the killer and the killed are doomed to Hellfire

"And if two parties (or groups) from among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both…" Allah has called them "believers"

Authentic hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 31

Narrator:Abu Bakrah

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، وَيُونُسُ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنِ الأَحْنَفِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ، قَالَ ذَهَبْتُ لأَنْصُرَ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ، فَلَقِيَنِي أَبُو بَكْرَةَ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ تُرِيدُ قُلْتُ أَنْصُرُ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ‏.‏ قَالَ ارْجِعْ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏

إِذَا الْتَقَى الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَرِيصًا عَلَى قَتْلِ صَاحِبِهِ ‏"

Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say:

"When two Muslims meet to fight each other with their swords, both the killer and the killed are doomed to Hellfire." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, that is the case with the killer, but what about the killed one?" He said: "Indeed, he was keen to kill his companion."

Reported by Al-Bukhari (No. 31, 6875, 7083), Muslim (No. 2888a, 2888b, 2888c, 2888d), Abu Dawud (No. 4268), An-Nasa’i (No. 4120, 4121, 4122, 4123), Ibn Majah (No. 3965) and Ahmad (No. 19528, 19543, 19571, 19613, 19614).

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that if two Muslims fight each other with their swords, with each one intending to kill the other, the killer will be in Hellfire for the actual killing of his companion; but the Companions were confused regarding the killed one and why he would be in Hellfire! The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) explained that he, too, would be in Hellfire because of his keenness to kill his companion and that nothing prevented him except that his companion managed to kill him first.

Lessons

He who intends to commit a sin and engages in the means leading to it deserves the punishment.
The Hadīth gives a stern warning regarding Muslims fighting one another and threatens them with Hellfire for that.
Fighting among Muslims for a valid reason does not fall under this warning, such as fighting against aggressors and corrupters.
The perpetrator of a major sin is not regarded as a disbeliever for its mere commission, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) named those fighting each other as Muslims.
If two Muslims fight each other with any means of killing and one of them kills the other, both the killer and the killed one will be in Hellfire. The sword is mentioned in the Hadīth as an example.

Explanation in Arabic

يُخبر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه إذا التقى المسلمان بسيفيهما، قاصدًا كلٌّ منهما إتلافَ صاحبِه؛ فالقاتل في النار بسبب مباشرته قتلَ صاحبه،

واستشكل الصحابةُ المقتولَ: كيف يكون في النار؟ فأخبر النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه أيضًا في النار لحرصِه على قتلِ صاحبه، ولم يَمنعه من القتلِ إلا مبادرةُ القاتل وسبقِه له.

استحقاق العقاب على مَن عَزَمَ على المعصية بقلبه وباشَرَ أسبابَها.
التحذير الشديد من اقتتال المسلمين والوعيد عليه بالنار.
القتال بين المسلمين بحق لا يَدخل في الوعيد، مثل قتال البُغَاة والمُفسدين.
مُرتكب الكبيرة لا يَكْفُرُ بمجرَّد فعلها؛ لأن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم سمَّى المُتقاتلَينِ مُسلِمَينِ.
إذا التقى المسلمان بأيِّ وسيلة يكون بها القتل، فقَتَلَ أحدُهما الآخرَ فالقاتل والمقتول في النار، وذِكْرُ السيفِ في الحديث على سبيل التمثيل.

Classical commentary

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani — Fath al-Bari

قَوْله : ( حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوب ) هُوَ السَّخْتِيَانِيّ وَيُونُس هُوَ اِبْن عُبَيْد وَالْحَسَن هُوَ اِبْن أَبِي الْحَسَن الْبَصْرِيّ , وَالْأَحْنَف بْن قَيْس مُخَضْرَم وَقَدْ رَأَى النَّبِيّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَكِنْ قَبْل إِسْلَامه , وَكَانَ رَئِيس بَنِي تَمِيم فِي الْإِسْلَام , وَبِهِ يُضْرَب الْمَثَل فِي الْحِلْم. وَقَوْله " ذَهَبْت لِأَنْصُر هَذَا الرَّجُل " يَعْنِي عَلِيًّا , كَذَا هُوَ فِي مُسْلِم مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْه , وَقَدْ أَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ الْمُؤَلِّف فِي الْفِتَن وَلَفْظه " أُرِيد نُصْرَة اِبْن عَمّ رَسُول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ " زَادَ الْإِسْمَاعِيلِيّ فِي رِوَايَته يَعْنِي عَلِيًّا. وَأَبُو بَكْرَة بِإِسْكَانِ الْكَاف هُوَ الصَّحَابِيّ الْمَشْهُور ,…

Scholar	Grade	Applies to	Work
Al-Bukharid. 256 AH	Authenticصحيح	The hadith	صحيح البخاري No. 31

Grades of other versions (11)

AuthenticAl-Albani صحيح — صحيح ابن ماجه (3218)
AuthenticAl-Albani صحيح — صحيح الجامع (387)
AuthenticAl-Bukhari صحيح — صحيح البخاري (6875)
AuthenticMuslim صحيح — صحيح مسلم (2888)
AuthenticIbn Taymiyyah ثابت — مجموع الفتاوى (23/306)
AuthenticIbn Taymiyyah صحيح — مجموع الفتاوى (10/740)
AuthenticAl-Suyuti صحيح — الجامع الصغير (483)
Muqbil al-Wadi'i يزداد ضعفاً لشذوذه — الفتاوى الحديثية للوادعي (1/381)
WeakMuqbil al-Wadi'i ضعيف شاذ يعني في إسناده — أحاديث معلة (265)
AuthenticAbu Nu'aym صحيح متفق عليه [أي:بين العلماء] من حديث الأحنف بن قيس عن أبي بكرة غريب من حديث مجاهد — حلية الأولياء (3/345)
ابن حزم احتج به ، وقال في المقدمة: (لم نحتج إلا بخبر صحيح من رواية الثقات مسند) — المحلى (10/502)

Other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 6875

I went to help that man (i.e., `Ali), and on the way I met Abu Bakra who asked me, "Where are you going?" I replied, "I am going to help that man." He said, "Go back, for I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'If two Muslims meet each other with their swords then (both) the killer and the killed…

إِذَا الْتَقَى الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَرِيصًا عَلَى قَتْلِ صَاحِبِهِ…

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 7083

(Al-Ahnaf said:) I went out carrying my arms during the nights of the affliction (i.e. the war between `Ali and `Aisha) and Abu Bakra met me and asked, "Where are you going?" I replied, "I intend to help the cousin of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (i.e.,`Ali)." Abu Bakra said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said…

إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَكِلاَهُمَا مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قِيلَ فَهَذَا الْقَاتِلُ، فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ أَرَادَ قَتْلَ صَاحِبِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 2888a

I set out with the intention of helping this person (Hadrat 'Ali) when Abu Bakra met me. He said: Ahnaf, where do you intend to go? I said: I intend to help the cousin of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), viz. 'Ali. Thereupon he said to me: Ahnaf, go back, for I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: When two…

إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَوْ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أَرَادَ…

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 2888b

When two Muslims confront each other with their swords, both the slayer and the slain are doomed to Hell-Fire.

إِذَا الْتَقَى الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 2888c

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hammad through another chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنِي حَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، مِنْ كِتَابِهِ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ أَبِي كَامِلٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ، إِلَى آخِرِهِ ‏.‏

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 2888d

When two Muslims (confront each other) and the one amongst them attacks his brother with a weapon, both of them are at the brink of Hell-Fire. And when one of them kills his companion, both of them get into Hell-Fire.

إِذَا الْمُسْلِمَانِ حَمَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا عَلَى أَخِيهِ السِّلاَحَ فَهُمَا فِي جُرُفِ جَهَنَّمَ فَإِذَا قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ دَخَلاَهَا جَمِيعًا ‏"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

See all 19 versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Abu Dawud 4268

I came out with the intention of (participating in) fighting. Abu Bakrah met me and said: Go back, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: When two Muslims face each other with their swords, the killer and the slain will go to Hell. He asked: Messenger of Allah, this is the killer (so naturally…

إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ أَرَادَ قَتْلَ صَاحِبِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 4120

The Prophet [SAW] said: "If two Muslims confront each other with swords, each of them wanting to kill the other, they will both be in Hell." It was said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) the killer, but what about the one who is killed?" He said: "He was determined to kill his…

"‏ إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا يُرِيدُ قَتْلَ صَاحِبِهِ فَهُمَا فِي النَّارِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ…

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Differing grades Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 4121

"The Messenger [SAW] said: 'If two Muslims meet (and fight) with their swords and one of them kills the other, the killer and the slain will both be in Hell.'"

"‏ إِذَا الْتَقَى الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَقَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 4122

"I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: 'If two Muslims confront each other with their swords and one of them kills the other, both the killer and the slain will be in Hell.'" They said: "O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) the killer, but what about the one who is killed?" He said: "He…

"‏ إِذَا تَوَاجَهَ الْمُسْلِمَانِ بِسَيْفَيْهِمَا فَقَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ فَالْقَاتِلُ وَالْمَقْتُولُ فِي النَّارِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَذَا الْقَاتِلُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَقْتُولِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهُ…

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Differing grades Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 4123

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'If two Muslims fight with swords, and one of them kills the other, then the killer and the slain will both be in Hell.'"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Ibn Majah 3965

“When one Muslim wields his weapon against his brother, both of them are at the edge of Hell, and if one of them kills the other, they will both enter it.”

"‏ إِذَا الْمُسْلِمَانِ حَمَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا عَلَى أَخِيهِ السِّلاَحَ فَهُمَا عَلَى جُرُفِ جَهَنَّمَ فَإِذَا قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ دَخَلاَهَا جَمِيعًا ‏"

Narrated by Abu Bakrah

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Musnad Ahmad 19528