What is the original basis for determining Diyah, and which animals constitute that basis?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
The original basis for Diyah is established as camels (Ibil), and the Diyah for a free, believing Muslim soul is set at one hundred camels. This is supported by narrations including the Hadith of Amr ibn Hazm, the Hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar concerning the Diyah for intentional homicide, and the Hadith of Ibn Mas'ud concerning error-based homicide. A distinct view, attributed to Al-Kharqi and one narration from Ahmad, holds that camels alone are the original basis for Diyah.
Supporting text
A prevailing opinion, held by Al-Qadi and the consensus within the Madhhab (school of thought), asserts that the origins of Diyah consist of five categories: camels, gold, silver (warq), cattle (buqur), and sheep (ghanam). This view is attributed to Umar, 'Ata', Tawus, the seven jurists of Medina, Al-Thawri, Ibn Abi Layla, Abu Yusuf, and Muhammad. Evidence includes the portion of Amr ibn Hazm's letter specifying gold currency (one thousand Dinars) alongside the one hundred camels, and the tradition from Ibn Abbas where the Prophet (peace be upon him) set the Diyah at twelve thousand units of silver (Waraq) for a certain killing. Furthermore, a narration from Umar's sermon explicitly establishes monetary equivalents for gold, silver, cattle, sheep, and fine cloth (Hulal) due to the rising price of camels.