See Discover Islam page here.

This poster highlights a Qur'anic verse that appears to be an eloquent statement about the sanctity of life:

The right to life is the most basic of human rights; the Qur'an equates the unjust killing of a single person to killing all of humankind: "And whoever kills a soul…, should be as though he has killed all of humankind." (Qur'an 5:32)

Many others have also cited this same verse in a similar vein, such as the 2005 "fatwa" from the Fiqh Council of North America condemning terrorism. Even President Bush referenced this verse in a 2005 speech:

As we do our part to confront radicalism, we know that the most vital work will be done within the Islamic world, itself. And this work has begun. Many Muslim scholars have already publicly condemned terrorism, often citing Chapter 5, Verse 32 of the Koran, which states that killing an innocent human being is like killing all humanity, and saving the life of one person is like saving all of humanity.

Alas, reading verse 5.32 in its entirety along with the succeeding verse (5.33) shows—yet again—that we are being misled.

Here is Shakir's translation of verse 5.32, with emphasis added:

For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our messengers came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the land.

Verse 5.33 makes it clear what should be done about those who "make mischief in the land":

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,

And what constitutes "wagingwaging war"war against Allah and His messenger" or making "mischief in the land"? According to commentary on verse 5.33 by Islamic scholar Aqa Mahdi Puya (with emphasis added):

Waging war against Allah and His prophet means hostility against His chosen representatives; or deviation from His laws by overstepping the boundaries laid down by Him; or letting loose a reign of terror to persecute and frighten innocent people in order to deprive them of their rights; or attempts to undermine the cause of Islam and the overall interests of the Muslims; or activities to enslave, exploit and destroy human beings.

When read in full, not only do verses 5.32-5.33 fail to protect anyone seen as undermining (or hostile to) Islam, the verses actually dictate punishing such transgressors with murder, crucifixion, amputation, or imprisonment.

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