Is there liability when the person being bitten resorts to methods other than immediately pulling their hand out of the mouth?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Beverages (Intoxicants)
Primary text
If the person whose hand is being bitten resorts to striking the biter's jaw, and a tooth is damaged, liability is incurred because it was possible to be rid of the harm by the lesser means, which is pulling the hand out. The person must choose the easiest means of release; pulling the hand is the primary permissible action for self-defense.
Supporting text
Some scholars outlined a specific order of actions for defense: first attempt to open the jaws with the other hand, then strike the jaw, then pull the hand, then squeeze the testicles, and finally, rip open the abdomen. However, the correct view holds that this specific order is not binding; pulling the hand is the primary right because the Prophet did not stipulate a sequence, and the injured party is not obligated to leave their hand in the mouth while attempting these complex maneuvers.