In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Hadith No.14

The blood of a Muslim may not be legally spilt other than in one of three [instances]: the marries person who commits adultery; a life for a life; and one who forsakes his religion and abandons the community
 
 
 

(related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

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Summary of  Hadith No.14

    The life of a Muslim is inviolable and protected by law. No one has the right to take his life unless he commits a crime that calls for the death penalty.

    The committing of adultery, murder and apostasy are such heinous crimes that Islamic Law, which otherwise safegueards life, has deemed that those who commit such crimes no longer deserve life.
 

    One of the purposes of the death penalty is to protect the sanctity and lives of all Muslims. As Allah states about the Law of Retribution, quoted above, "And there is [saving of'] life for you in the Law of Equality in punishment, O men of understanding, that you may become pious" (al-Baqara 178-179).