“Saving one life is like saving all of humanity”
In the heart of the Gaza Strip, amidst the devastating echoes of warfare and the anguished cries of the afflicted, stood Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a fragile refuge for the hundreds trapped within and around its walls.
Among these resilient people was Dr. Amira al-Assouli, an obstetrician and gynecologist whose return to Gaza from Egypt was driven by a profound sense of duty. Her life, deeply rooted in her community and her faith, was about to embody the essence of one of Islam’s most powerful principles: saving one life is like saving all of humanity.
In the Qur’an, Allah (swt) says:
“Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul—unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one, it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32)
{مِنۡ أَجۡلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبۡنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفۡسَۢا بِغَيۡرِ نَفۡسٍ أَوۡ فَسَادٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعٗا وَمَنۡ أَحۡيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحۡيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعٗاۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُنَا بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنۡهُم بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَمُسۡرِفُونَ} )
On a day marked by chaos and terror, a wounded man lay helpless outside the hospital gates, the open sky raining bullets down upon him. For many, the space between safety and the injured man was a no-man’s land, a stark reminder of the ongoing siege. Yet for Dr. Amira al-Assouli, it represented a call to action that resonated deeply with her faith and convictions.
Driven by the Islamic value of bravery in the service of humanity, she did not hesitate. Throwing off her coat, she sprinted across the dangerous open ground to administer lifesaving treatment to the young man.
Captured on video, her daring rescue did not merely ripple across social media—it roared across the world. People everywhere hailed her as “Khan Younis’ hero” and “the Iron Lady.” Her actions stood as a living testament to the profound impact of individual courage and the timeless principle of her faith:
“And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32)
Watching Amira’s heroic act reminded me of the deep-rooted Islamic values instilled within me. Her bravery was a living example of the Qur’anic verse that affirms the sanctity of life, a principle that continues to guide countless believers to act with courage and compassion. This story resonated with me spiritually, strengthening my faith and deepening my understanding of the responsibilities it entails.
I am reminded of the strength that comes from faith, and of the universal call to serve and protect life at all costs. Amira’s story is not only one of individual heroism; it is a reminder of our shared duty to safeguard one another, a duty magnified by the belief that in saving one life, we save all of humanity.
By sharing her story, I hope to highlight the path of bravery guided by faith, and to encourage others to embody these values in their own lives, just as Dr. Amira al-Assouli did under the siege of Khan Younis.
