Who bears the responsibility for the penalty if a destroyed person (*adami*) results from the collapse of a wall for which liability is established?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
If liability is established and the resulting destruction involves a human life, the blood money (*diyyah*) falls upon the victim's paternal relatives (*aqilah*). However, if the *aqilah* deny that the wall belonged to their kin, the blood money is not incumbent upon them unless this ownership is proven by evidence (*bayyinah*), because the presumption is that no obligation rests upon them, and obligation does not arise from doubt.
Supporting text
If the owner of the wall admits liability, the obligation falls upon them alone, not the *aqilah*, because the *aqilah* do not bear liability for an admission (*i'tiraf*). The same ruling applies if they deny that the demand for demolition was made upon them. Furthermore, if the wall is in the possession of their kin, yet they reside in the house, this possession does not establish the obligation upon them because apparent indications (*dhalalah*) of ownership do not establish legal rights; they only strengthen a claim.