What is the basis for the obligation of Diyah (blood money)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)

Book 48 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The obligation of Diyah is established through the Quran, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus (Ijma). The Quranic basis is found in the verse: "And whoever kills a believer intentionally, then the recompense is the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation (Diyah) delivered to his family unless they give [it] up as charity" (Quran 4:92). The Sunnah is evidenced by the writing of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to the people of Yemen through Amr ibn Hazm, which stated: "And in the soul there is one hundred camels." This tradition is narrated by Al-Nasa'i and Malik in his Muwatta. Consensus among scholars exists on the general obligation of Diyah.