The recent National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data reveals that as many as 67,774 people were killed in the country due to personal vendetta during the period between 2001 and 2017. The data confirms that personal vendetta or enmity is the largest cause of murders during the period. In this column we would consider in brief why personal vendetta causes murders and what is the Islamic approach to the issue.
The element of argument is inbuilt in human nature. This can be used for both positive and negative purposes. We can, and of course we should, put it to service to present good teachings or something constructive to our fellow beings; fa-zakkir innama anta muzakkir (therefore exhort them; your task is only to exhort, (The Qur’an – 88:21). But some people tend to utilise this inherent quality to serve their selfish or at least self-centred ends. This is bound to cause dispute and ruin personal relationships. This ruination can go to any extent, even fatal attack on the other person and as a result murder takes place.
Some people create disputes just to suppress the truth with all their might. This is nothing less than ‘willing suspension’ of the truth. And, in order to do so they not only create disputes, they indulge in making frivolous talks, baseless arguments and even uncalled for noises. “We have indeed given in this Qur’ān many facets to every kind of lesson for mankind. But man is, above all else, always given to contention,” (The Qur’an – 18:54).
In every case wherein the quality of argumentation is misused rather abused, the one who is speaking the truth and following the right path is made to suffer, even lose his life. In all such cases the sanctity of life is desecrated and violated. The recent cases of mob lynching that NCRB has failed rather miserably to mention in its report come under this category. Islamic teaching on the sanctity of human life is distinguishing and outstanding. It considers the killing of one single person without any rhyme or reason to be the killing of entire humanity; and saving the life of one single person to be the saving of entire mankind. No other system has said so categorically on the issue. God says in His Last Book: “Because of this did We ordain to the Children of Israel that if anyone slays a human being, for anything other than in punishment of murder or for spreading corruption on earth, it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; and that if anyone saves a human life, it shall be as though he had saved all mankind….” (The Qur’an – 5:32).
The killing caused by personal vendetta also invites the law of retribution. Owing to space constraint here we are not discussing this law which in fact promises life rather than death in society.