8. Ali burns people alive for leaving Islam but Ibn Abbas clarifies Muhammad said to kill them
In a sahih (authentic) hadith, Ali (Muhammad’s cousin, son-in-law, and central figure of Shia Islam) burns people alive for leaving Islam but Ibn Abbas clarifies Muhammad said to kill them.
Consistent with the Quran
“But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them” Quran 4:89
From an authentic hadith
“Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn Abbas who said, ‘If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) forbade it, saying, “Do not punish anybody with Allah’s punishment (fire).” I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), ‘Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.’” Sahih Bukhari 6922
Apostasy Is One of Three Cases a Muslim Can Be Killed
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims.” Sahih Bukhari 6878
More Orders from Muhammad: Kill Critics, Kill Dogs and Raid Caravans
Muhammad Orders and Approves Killing Critics
When the poet Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf wrote verses against Muhammad, Muhammad called for his killing and authorized lying to do so.
“Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “Who is willing to kill Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Would you like that I kill him?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Yes.” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “Then allow me to say a false thing to deceive Ka’b.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “You may say it.” ... When Maslama got a strong hold of him, he said (to his companions) “Get at him!” So they killed him and went to the prophet and informed him.” Sahih Bukhari 4037
No Punishment For Killing Slave Mother Who Criticized Muhammad
Muhammad didn’t punish a man who killed his sex slave, the mother of his two children, for criticizing Muhammad.
“A blind man had a slave-mother who used to abuse the Prophet (ﷺ) and disparage him. He forbade her but she did not stop. One night she began to slander the Prophet (ﷺ) and abuse him. So he took a dagger, placed it on her belly, pressed it, and killed her. A child who came between her legs was smeared with the blood that was there. When the morning came, the Prophet (ﷺ) was informed about it. He sat before the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: Messenger of Allah! I am her master ... I have two sons like pearls from her, and she was my companion. Last night she began to abuse and disparage you. So I took a dagger, put it on her belly and pressed it till I killed her. Thereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Oh be witness, no retaliation is payable for her blood.” Sunan Abi Dawud 4361
Muhammad Orders Killing Dogs
“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered the killing of dogs and we would send (men) in Medina and its corners and we did not spare any dog that we did not kill, so much so that we killed the dog that accompanied the wet she-camel belonging to the people of the desert.” Sahih Muslim 1570c
More on Dogs
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or there are pictures.”” Sahih Bukhari 5949
“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily, unless the dog is used for guarding a farm or cattle.”” Sahih Bukhari 2322
“The Messenger of ‘Allah (ﷺ) said: When any one of you stands for prayer and there is a thing before him equal to the back of the saddle that covers him and in case there is not before him (a thing) equal to the back of the saddle, his prayer would be cut off by (passing of an) ass, woman, and black Dog. I said: O Abu Dharr, what feature is there in a black dog which distinguish it from the red dog and the yellow dog? He said: O, son of my brother, I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as you are asking me, and he said: The black dog is a devil.” Sahih Muslim 510a
Aisha’s Response: “You likened us to the asses and the dogs.”
“It was mentioned before ‘A’isha that prayer is invalidated (in case of passing) of a dog, an ass and a woman (before the worshipper, when he is not screened). Upon this ‘A’isha said: You likened us to the asses and the dogs. By Allah I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying prayer while I lay on the bedstead interposing between him and the Qibla. When I felt the need, I did not like to wit to front (of the Holy Prophet) and perturb the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and quietly moved out from under its (i. e. of the bedstead) legs.” Sahih Muslim 512d
Muhammad Orders Raiding Caravans
When Muhammad was trying to attack the unarmed caravan of Abu Sufyan, the Quraysh army intercepted him, beginning the Battle of Badr.
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent Busaisah as a scout to see what the caravan of Abu Sufyan was doing ... the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out (hurriedly), spoke to the people and said: We are in need (of men); whoever has an animal to ride upon ready with him should ride with us.” Sahih Muslim 1901
“for Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) had gone out to meet the caravans of (Quraish, but Allah caused them (i.e. Muslims) to meet their enemy unexpectedly.” Sahih Bukhari 3951
“˹Remember, O believers,˺ when Allah promised ˹to give˺ you the upper hand over either target, you wished to capture the unarmed party. But it was Allah’s Will to establish the truth by His Words and uproot the disbelievers;” Quran 8:7
Scholarly Explanation (Quran.com)
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ heard that Abu Sufyan had left the Sham area (headed towards Makkah with Quraysh’s caravan), he encouraged the Muslims to march forth to intercept them, saying, (This is the caravan of Quraysh carrying their property, so march forth to intercept it, Allah might make it as war spoils for you.)” Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 8:7