Killing for Allah to avoid Hell

Question:

 

Can a Muslim avoid hell by killing for Allah?
 
Summary Answer:

 

All Muslims are to spend time in hell for their sins.  After paying for their sins in this fashion for a time determined by the crime, Muslims will then be allowed into paradise. 
Muhammad made an exception for prophets (ie. himself) and for anyone dying in battle for the cause of Allah's religion.

The Qur'an:

Taken together, Sura (69) and verse (84:7-12) present a picture of the reckoning of Muslims on Judgment Day, in which believers are given sentences based on their sins versus good deeds. 
Qur'an (19:70-72) - "And surely We are Best Aware of those most worthy to be burned therein.  There is not one of you but shall approach it. That is a fixed ordinance of thy Lord. Then We shall rescue those who kept from evil, and leave the evil-doers crouching there." No person will avoid going to hell, but Muslims will eventually be pulled out.

Qur'an (4:95) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home).  Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward."  Allah distinguishes Muslims from one another based on their willingness to fight and die in Holy War.  Non-violent Muslims will not receive the same reward as the Jihadis.

Qur'an (8:15-16) - "O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them.  If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!"  Not only does Muhammad lay down the principle that a Muslim can serve time in Hell, but failing to kill unbelievers when directed is a sure way to bring this about.

Qur'an (9:39) - "If ye go not forth He will afflict you with a painful doom..."  It isn't enough to believe.  Muhammad is telling his soldiers (who do not want to fight) that they will be sent to hell if they do not join the battle.

Qur'an (3:169-170) - "Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah: And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve."  Martyrs go directly from life to paradise, where they wait for those who must first go through the Day of Judgment.

From the Hadith:

Muslim (20:4678) - It has been reported on the authority of Jabir that a man said: "Messenger of Allah, where shall I be if I am killed?" He replied: "In Paradise." The man threw away the dates he had in his hand and fought until he was killed (i. e. he did not wait until he could finish the dates).

Muslim (20:4649) - The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: 'All the sins of a Shahid (martyr) are forgiven except debt.'

Bukhari (52:46) - I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The example of a Mujahid in Allah's Cause-- and Allah knows better who really strives in His Cause----is like a person who fasts and prays continuously. Allah guarantees that He will admit the Mujahid in His Cause into Paradise if he is killed, otherwise He will return him to his home safely with rewards and war booty."

Abu Dawud (14:2515) - I asked the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him): Who are in Paradise? He replied: "Prophets are in Paradise, martyrs are in Paradise."

Additional Notes:
 

According to Muhammad, the only sure path to paradise is through Jihad. 

Although Muslims are to face the Last Day, where their time in hell is to be determined (with sins weighed against good deeds) Muhammad laid down an exception for martyrs - those who are slain in the cause of Allah - at a time when he conveniently needed them.  They get the fast track to Paradise where they wait on the rest (Qur'an (3:169-170)).  A martyr doesn't necessarily have to have killed anyone, but a Muslim is required to join the battle (if able) and at least make an attempt to kill (Qur'an (9:39)).

Islam's teaching, in this regard, differs from that of other religions and certainly helps explain the violence:

Religion, for many, is often a major stabilizing force.  Islam, however, rather than offering tools to manage such anguish, dramatically promotes internal anxiety by keeping unobtainable any true degree of comfort that one has ultimately pleased Allah enough to avoid Islamic Hell. (FrontPage: Naming the Enemy)