What is the required compensation for the complete severance of the tongue?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
If the entire tongue is severed, the full diya of the tongue is obligatory without any addition, regardless of whether the tongue had two equal lobes or unequal ones.
Supporting text
The view attributed to Al-Qadi states that if the two lobes were equal, only the full diya is due. However, if one lobe was deviated from the normal alignment, the full diya is due along with a 'hukuma' for the innate excess. The primary position holds that this excess is a defect that reduces the price of a sold item, thus no separate compensation is due for it, similar to merchandise in hand. This difference in view may resolve to the same outcome, as the 'hukuma' might not yield an additional amount when the excess is merely a defect.