To Save Mankind

“For this reason, We prescribed for the Children of Israel that whosoever slays a soul—unless it be for another soul or working corruption upon the earth—it is as though he slew mankind altogether, and whosoever saves the life of one, it is as though he saved the life of mankind altogether.” – Surah 5:32

There is an ethical tradition in Judaism which is mentioned in the Koran, and which says that when one murders another human being it is as if one had killed all of mankind, and when one has saved a life it is as if one had saved all of humanity. This points to the enormity of the crime of murder as well as the great value of saving a life. And there is a sense in which the crime of murder is world-ending for the victim. One has blotted out their life and this world has ended for them. The ease and callousness with which some take lives these days is testimony to the dark times in which we live. The war in Ukraine, which Russia has perpetrated with atrocities not seen in Europe for many years is testimony to the evil which lies buried in the heart of man, and which can easily be brought to the surface. We should all do what we can to save lives, whether these are the lives of our neighbors or those living in distant lands.

– Christopher Simon