Is a person liable for death or loss of sanity resulting from shouting loudly at a child or an insane person?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
If a person shouts loudly at a child or an insane person, causing them to fall from a roof or similar height, resulting in death, loss of sanity, or if they startle a sane, heedless person causing such an outcome, the perpetrator owes the *diyyah*. This amount is borne by the *aqilah*. The ruling is based on establishing liability due to causing the destructive event, as is the case with a child. If the act was deliberate, it is quasi-intentional; otherwise, it is accidental.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i concurs with the ruling concerning the child but maintains two differing opinions regarding the liability imposed upon the perpetrator when the victim is a mature adult.