What is the ruling on striking a freeman on the face resulting in no visible damage?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
If a person strikes another freeman on the face and no visible mark remains, there is no liability for compensation because neither beauty nor function was diminished, and there was no existing defect that was worsened. This is analogous to verbal abuse (slander). If the striking causes blackening or bruising of the face, compensation equal to the full Blood Money (Diyah) is required, as this constitutes permanent damage to beauty, similar to severing the ears of a deaf person or the nose of one born without one. If the blackening later disappears, the compensation received must be returned due to the cessation of the cause for liability.
Supporting text
The view of Al-Shafi'i is that only *hukuma* (arbitrated compensation) is due, as there is no fixed measure for this injury, nor is it analogous to an injury with a fixed measure. If only some of the bruising subsides, *hukuma* is due for the remaining portion, and the rest of the compensation is returned. If the striking causes the face to turn yellow or red, *hukuma* is due because the beauty was not completely destroyed; this is similar to coloring or altering the color of one's teeth.