Neither Harm Nor Reciprocate Harm
The fundamental principle prohibiting causing harm to oneself or others in any transaction.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.' This concise statement establishes a foundational principle of Islamic law (la darar wa la dirar). It means one cannot cause initial harm to others, nor respond to harm with greater harm. This principle protects rights, establishes liability, and guides legal judgments across all areas of life. It balances individual rights with social responsibility. Modern legal systems increasingly recognize this principle through concepts of negligence, nuisance, and the duty of care.
There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.
This hadith is one of the five maxims upon which Islamic jurisprudence is built, applying to everything from trade to environmental protection.
Sunan Ibn Majah
Written about in
- What Islam says about justice
Do no harm, and do not answer harm with harm. The second half is the harder one, and it closes off revenge as a remedy.
- What Islam says about forgiveness
Where forgiveness is not given, escalation is still closed off. La darar wa la dirar bars both causing harm and answering harm with harm, and it operates as a legal maxim shaping liability, not only as advice — so the ceiling on revenge is enforceable rather than left to temperament.