What is the prescribed blood money (Diyah) for a broken vertebra (Sulb) that does not heal?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
The blood money for a broken vertebra is the full Diyah. This is established by the directive in the Prophet's letter to Amr ibn Hazm: "And for the vertebra is the Diyah." This ruling is upheld by Zayd ibn Thabit, 'Ata, Al-Hasan, Al-Zuhri, and Malik, based on the established Sunnah. The reasoning is that the vertebra is a unique member of the body possessing both beauty and vital function, thus warranting a full Diyah, analogous to the nose.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi and the companions of Al-Shafi'i hold that no Diyah is due for a broken vertebra unless it results in the loss of the ability to walk or the ability to have sexual intercourse, in which case the Diyah is due for the lost function, as the organ's primary function was not entirely removed.