Fayzaan Virk, Wisconsin, USA
On the morning of 4 December 2024, Brian Thompson was shot to death in Manhattan, USA. Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, a health insurance company in America. Thompson had worked with the UnitedHealth Group since 2004 and served as CEO of their government programmes before becoming CEO of their insurance branch in 2021. (“Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in Manhattan?”, www.cbsnews.com, 10 December 2024)
A murder suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested on 9 December in Pennsylvania. He faces allegations that include first-degree murder, an act of terrorism, criminal possession of a weapon and forgery for using a fake ID in the days before the murder. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges. (“Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO on N.Y. state charges”, www.nbcnews.com, 23 December 2024)
Hero for the working class
This murder stands out for two key reasons: the public’s extraordinary reaction and the “hero” status seemingly bestowed upon the accused killer, Luigi Mangione.
The first reason is the public’s visceral response to the death of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson. A Facebook post by the company expressing sadness over his death received 77,000 laughing emojis, signalling widespread anger and a sense of justice among many. For many, Thompson’s death represented retribution for the harm caused by the healthcare insurance industry, with his passing evoking feelings of excitement or even celebration.
The second reason is Mangione’s remarkable ability to elude capture for five days after killing Thompson in broad daylight in Manhattan, fuelling the perception of him as a modern-day hero. His escape and the widespread support for him underscore the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the wealthy, especially within the context of the healthcare system. Mangione’s actions, though violent, were seen by many as a stand against the “1%,” with his status as an anti-establishment figure growing despite his alleged crime.
It’s no surprise that the murder of Brian Thompson was seen by many as justice, considering the struggles that many have with health insurance in the US. One critic puts it well:
“Luigi’s alleged assassination – horrifying as it is in isolation – becomes intelligible as a desperate assertion of agency in a system designed to neutralize it. In such an environment, the moral calculus shifts: what options remain for those who lack wealth, power, or institutional support? The answer, for many, is despair – despair that, over time, metastasizes into rage.” (“Luigi Mangione: An Icon of Rage”, omarnajjarine.substack.com, 24 December 2024)
The health insurance industry has long been criticised for prioritising profit over providing quality, affordable healthcare to people. Almost every US adult has had issues with health insurance claims. One in five had a claim denied in the past year. This is twice the rate of those who were on Medicare or Medicaid. (“Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO prompts flurry of stories on social media over denied insurance claims”, edition.cnn.com, 6 December 2024)
UnitedHealthcare was also the target of a class action lawsuit in Minnesota last year alleging that the company used AI when processing claims to streamline the process and save money. The suit claims this led to claims, especially of elderly patients, being wrongfully denied. Companies use prior authorisation to decide if claims are medically necessary or backed by scientific evidence, which is also conducive to their bottom line. (“UnitedHealthcare lawsuit: Physicians allege delay, deny, underpay practices”, www.fox9.com, 12 December 2024)
But does that justify the murder?
Islamic teachings on vigilante justice
Islam places a high emphasis on absolute justice. The Holy Quran says, “Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice.” (Surah an-Nisa’, Ch.4: V.59)
However, the Holy Quran also places an extremely high value on human life. It prescribes that whoever kills one life, “it shall be as if he had killed all mankind.” (Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.33)
While Islam does place a preference on forgiveness over retribution, it still allows for punishment to occur. However, it is important to recognise who is responsible for administering justice.
The Holy Quran says, “And the recompense of an injury is the like thereof; but whoso forgives and [his act] brings about reformation, his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not the wrongdoers. But there is no blame on those who defend themselves after they have been wronged. The blame is only on those who wrong men and transgress on the earth without justification. Such will have a grievous punishment.” (Surah ash-Shura, Ch.42: V.41-43)
These verses also touch on one of the problems at the heart of the murder: vigilante justice. Brian Thompson is considered to fall in the second category of men, i.e., those who wrong others without justification. He and his company made millions by profiting from the pain and suffering of others.
However, the verse says that these men will have their punishment with Allah, not with their victims. This rejection of vigilante justice is also seen in the Charter of Medina. Whenever there were disputes, they would be resolved in the legal system or by the Holy Prophetsa himself, never by individuals or vigilantes. (“A Good Vigilante?”, www.youtube.com, 12 December 2024)
Conclusion
It is clear that while Islam places a heavy emphasis on justice, it rejects the notion of vigilante justice. Justice should be carried out by Allah or by the existing legal systems, not by individuals. While Brian Thompson may have committed injustice and profited off suffering, a vigilante should not have delivered his punishment.
And although it shouldn’t have reached this point, this situation can serve as a wake-up call for society; human lives should not be left at the mercy of insurance companies. It should also prompt legal authorities to explore ways to safeguard the sanctity of life and regulate the structure of health insurance companies more effectively.