To kill or not to kill your brother: Qabil and Habil

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

So I am reading Surah 5 verse 28 when I come across the story of Adams two sons, Qabil and Habil (or as Christians say, Abel and Kane).

I read the english version so sometimes I feel I am missing out on comprehending certain passages.

Anyway, I am reading about how Habil tells Qabil that he essentially will not raise his hand towards killing Qabil, as he fears Allah, and doesnt want to kill him.

Now my question is two-fold.

Did Habil know that Qabil was going to kill him?

Did Habil defend himself when Qabil was coming to kill him?

If Habil did not defend himself and he knew Qabil was coming to kill him, is this appropriate, to not defend oneself? I was thinking about the notion of suicide and how muslims are generally not supposed to commit suicide.

Now the thing is, if you put yourself in jeopardy to save the life of another, this is not considered suicide correct, or it is?

Was Habil saving the life of another, or like it says in the Torah, to save one life is to save all of humanity. The verse in the Qur’an goes on to mention that this is why Allah ordained for jews that to save one life is to save all of mankind and to kill an innocent life is like killing all of mankind for them.

Is this principle the same in Islam?

I believe that what Habil did was correct, as he feared Allah and didnt want to take the life of another, however I’d like to know the interpretation of all this.

Jazak’Allah khair.

I have already asked some ppl and they dont really know. Will also ask others, and would like your input as well, thanks.

2

u have been thinking too much lately....

i dont know if he did put up any self-defense or not....
but it does seem that he knew the intentions of his brother....

Quran 5:28,29
*Even if thou stretch out thy hand against me to kill me, I shall not stretch out my hand against thee to kill thee, lo! I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
"For me I intend to let thee draw on thyself my sin as well as thine for thou wilt be among the companions of the fire and that is the reward of those who do wrong." *

seems he was a man who had a very strong faith and knew this life meant nothing and he was better off moving to the eternal life with Cain "drawing his sin too"....
or maybe he thought that a calm and selfless reply like this wud infact have an effect on his brother and he wud refrain from his act....

one thing is clear, he did not resist....
Allah knows best....

  • one shud always defend his/her life and property....
  • yes if u sacrifice ur life to save someone else, it is not suicide....