What is the difference between a murderer and a disbeliever regarding the meaning of eternal dwelling in Hellfire? And will the murderer remain in it eternally, an everlasting dwelling? And will the Muslim who commits human massacres enter Paradise?

Killing a believing soul unjustly is one of the major sins, yet it does not expel its perpetrator from the fold of Islam, nor does it render him a disbeliever; for Allah forgives what is less than polytheism for whom He wills.

Therefore, the killer of a soul will not abide eternally in Hellfire like a disbeliever's eternal abode, as long as he possesses the essence of faith and monotheism. Rather, his eternal abode mentioned in the texts is interpreted as a lengthy duration.

As for the texts that link the killer with the disbeliever, they must be understood in light of other texts; for instance, that the sin is not forgiven initially except after punishment, or that it refers to one who deems killing permissible, or one who did not repent. It might also be for emphasis.

And killing a large number of believers does not render the perpetrator a disbeliever unless he deems the killing permissible. The story of the killer of a hundred souls is evidence for this.