"If anyone has killed one person (except in lieu of murder or mischief on earth) it is as if he has killed the whole of mankind, and if he has saved one life it is as if he saved the whole of mankind."

                                                                          Quran 5:32

5: 32 [ al-Maida, Medina 112 ]

Asad …………it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind. [note 40]

Yusuf Ali On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear Signs yet even after that many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.

Pickthall For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if be had killed all mankind, and whoso save the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty) , but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.

Transliteration Min ajli za_lika katabna_ 'ala_ bani isra_'ila annahu_ man qatala nafsam bi gairi nafsin au fasa_din fil ardi fa ka'annama_ qatalan na_sa jami'a_(n), wa man ahya_ha_ fa ka'annama_ ahyan na_sa jami'a_(n), wa laqad ja_'athum rusuluna_ bil bayyina_ti summa inna kasiram minhum ba'da za_lika fil ardi lamusrifu_n(a).

[ Asad’s note 40 -……….The expression “We have ordained unto the children of Israel” does not, of course, detract from the universal validity of this moral: it refers merely to its earliest enunciation.]

[ Ali’s note 737 - The story of Cain is referred to in a few graphic details in order to tell the story of Israel. Israel rebelled against Allah, slew and insulted righteous men who did them no harm but on the contrary came in all humility. When Allah withdrew His favor from Israel because of its sins and bestowed it on brother nation, the jealousy of Israel plunged it deeper into sin. To kill or seek to kill an individual because he represents an ideal is to kill all who uphold the ideal. On the other hand, to save an individual life in the same circumstances is to save a whole community. What could be stronger condemnation of individual assassination and revenge? (5.32) ]