In recent years, kidnapping has emerged as one of Nigeria’s gravest security challenges. Thousands of Nigerians—Christians and Muslims alike—have fallen victim to abductors seeking ransom, creating fear and deepening ethnic and religious suspicions.
However, extensive research by Headlinenews.news has found that kidnapping has no basis in Islam and is categorically condemned by the Qur’an, the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and classical Islamic jurisprudence.
Islam places a high value on the sanctity of human life, dignity and security. The Qur’an declares:
“Whoever kills a person—unless for murder or spreading corruption in the land—it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves one life, it is as if he has saved all mankind.”(Qur’an 5:32)
Islamic scholars classify kidnapping and hostage-taking under crimes that spread fear and corruption on earth (Hirabah). Qur’an 5:33 warns against those who wage war against society and spread terror and mischief among the people. Classical jurists have consistently regarded kidnapping, armed robbery and hostage-taking as among the gravest offences against society.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also condemned the enslavement and sale of free human beings. In an authentic Hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, Allah declares Himself an adversary on the Day of Judgment against anyone who sells a free person and consumes the proceeds. Islamic scholars have long interpreted this as a prohibition against kidnapping and human trafficking.
Numerous Muslim scholars have reiterated that Islam forbids harming civilians, taking hostages or abducting innocent people. Such actions are viewed as rebellion against divine commandments rather than acts carried out in defence of the faith.
This distinction is important for Nigeria and the wider world. Criminals who kidnap in the name of religion act contrary to Islam. Their crimes should not be used to stigmatise over two billion Muslims worldwide or the millions of peaceful Nigerian Muslims who are themselves victims of terrorism and kidnapping.
According to various security reports, victims of kidnapping in Nigeria include Muslims, Christians, traditional worshippers and foreigners, demonstrating that the menace is criminal rather than religious.
Experts note that confusing criminality with religion risks creating unnecessary divisions and undermining national unity. Terrorists, bandits and kidnappers represent themselves—not Islam.
Headlinenews.news findings show that mainstream Islamic teachings emphasise justice, mercy, protection of life and peaceful coexistence. The overwhelming majority of Muslim scholars across the Sunni and Shia traditions reject kidnapping, ransom-taking and attacks on innocent people as grave sins.
Therefore, Nigerians should resist attempts to profile Muslims as potential kidnappers. Such stereotypes are unfair, dangerous and unsupported by Islamic teachings.
The facts are clear:
Kidnapping is a crime.
Kidnapping is against Nigerian law.
And kidnapping is against Islamic law.
Those who abduct innocent people violate both the laws of man and the commandments of God.
— Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
