As to those who deny the Signs of Allah and in defiance of right(363), slay the prophets, and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind(364), announce to them a grievous penalty.
363 Right: haqq has many shades of meaning: (1) right, in the sense of having a right to something; (2) right, in the sense of straight conduct, as opposed to wrong; (3) truth; (4) justice. All these shades are implied here. 364 Examples of the Prophets slain were: "the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar": Matt. 23:35. Cf. 2:61. n. 75. Again, John the Baptist (Yahya, noble, chaste, a prophet, of the goodly company of the righteous, 3:39 ), was bound, imprisoned, and beheaded, and his head presented to a dancing harlot: Matt. 14:1-11 (Cf. 4:155).