4th International Conference
on
Protection of Human Life in Shariah and Law

Organized by
Faculty of Shariah & Law, IIUI
in collaboration with
International Islamic Fiqh Academy Jeddah, KSA
&
The Higher Education Commission, Pakistan
(23-24 November 2023)

Quaid-e-Azam Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus
International Islamic University, Islamabad
 
Introduction

The creation of humankind is one of the greatest signs of Allah Almighty, which is why Shari‘ah counts human life very precious and has commanded for its protection and safety in the Holy Qur’ān and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Qur’ān says in this regard:

“Do not kill a person, whom Allah has given sanctity, except rightfully” (Al- An‘ām: 151).

“Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide sustenance to them and to you, too. Killing them is a great sin indeed. (Al- Isrāh: 31).

“Whoever kills a believer deliberately, his reward is Jahannam (Hell) where he shall remain forever, and Allah shall be angry with him and shall cast a curse upon him, and He has prepared for him a mighty punishment”.(Al- Nisā: 93).

Allah has granted life to a person as trust and will question him about it on the day of the judgment. Thus, a person cannot harm himself considering his body as his property nor can he inflict any aggression on the person of another. This is the reason that suicide and mutilation of a human body or any of its organs are prohibited in Islam, except under Maslaḥah. Even passive aggression towards oneself is considered against the injunctions of Shari’ah, which includes avoiding required medication, ignoring personal hygiene, sticking to evil habits, instigating fights among the masses, and taking intoxicants.

Shari’ah has not confined itself to mere preaching of these highly valued ethics; rather, it has prescribed penalties in certain cases for their infringers, especially where such values are prescribed by way of commands. Qur’ān says:

“There is life for you in Qisās (retaliation), O people of wisdom, so that you may refrain (from killing)” (Al-Baqarah: 179).

To highlight the importance of human life and the ways of its protection under Shari’ah and contemporary laws, and for the dissemination of such research, Faculty of Shari’ah & Law, International Islamic University Islamabad, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and International Islamic Fiqh Academy Jeddah, is going to organize the 4th International Conference on the Protection of Human Life in Shari’ah and Law.