Is indemnity due for severing the tongue of a child who reached the age where speech is expected but still has not spoken?

Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds

Al-Mughni

Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)

Book 48 · Issue 2 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a child reaches the age where speech is normally attained but still has not spoken, and their tongue is severed, no indemnity is due. This is because the outward appearance suggests an inability to speak, so the ruling applied is that for the tongue of a mute person.