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…

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.

Lessons 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.