What is the ruling regarding extra hands attached to one arm?

Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds

Al-Mughni

Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)

Book 48 · Issue 1 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a person has two hands on one arm, and one is more grasping or stronger than the other, or if one hand is oriented differently or is incomplete while the other is complete, the better-formed or stronger hand is considered the principal one, and the other is considered extra. The principal hand incurs the full prescribed indemnity (*diya*) and retaliation (*qisas*) if deliberately severed. The extra hand incurs a discretionary indemnity (*hukuma*), whether severed alone or along with the principal hand.

Supporting text

According to Ibn Hamid, no indemnity is due for the extra hand because it is considered a defect, similar to a superfluous item in possession.