Is a client by alliance (Mawla al-Muwalat) liable for blood money (Diyya)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)

Book 48 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The client by alliance, who pledges allegiance and support to a man, is not liable for blood money. This ruling is adopted by Al-Shafi'i. The basis for this is that the liability (Aql) is an issue related specifically to the agnates (Asabah), and therefore, it cannot be established through this form of alliance, similar to the ruling concerning guardianship in marriage (Wilayat al-Nikah).

Supporting text

Abu Hanifa holds that the client by alliance is liable for blood money and inherits. Malik states that if a man is outside his own kin group, his liability for blood money rests upon the group with whom he resides.