What is the ruling for the loss of hearing (Sam')?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
There is a scholarly consensus among the general populace of scholars that the loss of hearing requires the full *diya*. This view is reported from Umar, Mujahid, Qatadah, Al-Thawri, Al-Awza'i, the people of Sham and Iraq, Malik, Al-Shafi'i, and Ibn al-Mundhir. A hadith is related from Ma'adh, stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) decreed: 'And in hearing is the *diya*.' Hearing is considered a sense specialized by a unique benefit, thus requiring the *diya*, similar to sight.
Supporting text
It is narrated that when a man suffered the loss of hearing, intellect, tongue, and sexual potency due to an injury to his head, Umar decreed four *diyat* while the man was still alive.