Killing, in its many forms, has always been a major concern of humanity. This is true especially when it involves the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children (which is an act of cowardliness). I believe that everyone with a healthy mind and heart will condemn these acts of cowardliness, no matter what justification the culprits use. The way the media treats killings as a hot commodity shows how corrupt and sick our civilization has become. The loss of human lives has become a source of income, and in many ways entertainment. Nevertheless, it can be a testification on how interesting this subject is for people.
Human beings are given the natural instinct to honor life. For Muslims, this natural inclination is further strengthened by faith. The Qur’an honors life of human beings with very strong words (5:32), stating that the one who kills a person without any strong reasons is as if he has killed all of humanity. Of course killing has existed since the beginning of the history of mankind, way back to the killing of Habil by his own twin brother Qabil (the story of Cain and Abel, Prophet Adam’s sons).
In the pre-Islamic period, the ignorant Arabs were used to do many horrible things. One of the most horrific of all is probably how they used to bury their baby girls alive. This tradition was based on the belief that men are superior to women, thus it was a disgrace to have a daughter. Regarding this, God the Almighty said in the Qur’an that these babies will one day be asked about their killing, and the killers will have to be responsible for what they did (Surah At Takwir ayah 8-9). “And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) shall be questioned. For what sin she was killed?” This ignorant practice of the Arabs was banished by the Messenger of God, and was not practiced anymore.
Nowadays, it may seem barbaric if we hear people killing their babies, but the sad truth is, it still exists, at very alarming rates. These killings are manifested in a disgusting practice called child abortion. As much as 3700 abortions take place in the US in ONE DAY (this statistic is from the 90s, it might be worse now). Most of the reasons are said to be social reasons (93%). So as with the ancient Arabs, these so called “modern people” also do it for social reasons (free sex, the baby isn’t wanted, etc). Times may change, but the ignorance doesn’t. This “modern era” (age of ignorance would be better) we live in is said to condemn innocent killings, but at the same time legalized genocide of millions of innocent souls.
Nevertheless, those millions of innocent souls that have been slaughtered will get a chance to talk in front of their Lord. And on that day, everyone (including the murderers) will taste the fruit of what they did.
This is an age that DEMANDS us to seek for Devine Guidance to keep our humanity, to prevent corruption in our hearts. All the disgusting practices and corruption that we see all around us is a manifest from how distant we are from Guidance. May we all be among those who are guided and can value life the way that it should be valued.