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Whoever kills a mu‘āhad (a non-Muslim who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever kills a mu‘āhad (a non-Muslim who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years."

«مَنْ قَتَلَ مُعَاهَدًا ‌لَمْ ‌يَرَحْ ‌رَائِحَةَ الْجَنَّةِ، وَإِنَّ رِيحَهَا تُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ أَرْبَعِينَ عَامًا».

Narrated by Al-Bukhāri
Authentic
Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates the stern warning to anyone who kills a mu‘āhad - a non-Muslim who comes from the land of disbelievers to the abode of Islam and receives the pledge of protection and security - that he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years journey.

Word Meaning

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Benefits from the Hadith

It is prohibited to kill a mu‘āhad, a dhimmi, or a musta’man. This is a major sin.

Mu‘āhad: He is a disbeliever with whom a covenant was made while he lives in his land and does not fight the Muslims, nor do they fight him. Dhimmi: He is a non-Muslim who comes to live in the Muslim land and pays tribute. Musta’man: He is a non-Muslim who enters the land of the Muslims under a covenant and pledge of protection for a certain period of time.

It warns against the betrayal of covenants with non-Muslims.

References
More (8)

صحيح البخاري منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام.

لعبد الله الفوزان (8/ 232).

توضيح الأحكام شرح بلوغ المرام.

للبسام (6/ 90).

فتح ذي الجلال والإكرام بشرح بلوغ المرام.

لابن عثيمين (5/ 520).

سبل السلام.

لمحمد الصنعاني (2/ 501).