What are the defined stages and mandatory compensations for head and facial wounds (*Shijaj*)?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
There are ten types of head and facial wounds (*Shijaj*). Five of these have a fixed compensation (*Arsh Muqaddar*), and five do not, requiring *Hukuma* (assessment). The stages without fixed compensation, in correct order according to scholarly consensus, are: Al-Harisah (skin slightly scratched, no blood), Al-Bazilah (blood flows), Al-Badi'ah (cuts the flesh after the skin), Al-Mutalahimah (enters deep into the flesh without reaching the subperiosteum), and Al-Sumhaq (reaches the thin layer over the bone, also called Al-Malta or Al-Malta'ah). The first of the wounds with fixed compensation is Al-Muwaddihah (exposes the white of the bone). The correct position, supported by the report of the Prophet (peace be upon him) only setting compensation for Al-Muwaddihah and not for lesser injuries, is that all wounds below Al-Muwaddihah require *Hukuma*, aligning with the ruling for body wounds.
Supporting text
Some scholars, citing differing manuscript copies, initially listed the order as Al-Harisah, then Al-Badi'ah, then Al-Bazilah. Others reported specific compensations based on narrations from Zayd ibn Thabit: one camel for Al-Bazilah, two for Al-Badi'ah, three for Al-Mutalahimah, and four for Al-Sumhaq, based on a narration from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). A narration from Umar and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them) suggests half the *Arsh* of Al-Muwaddihah for Al-Sumhaq.