What is the ruling if two hands on one arm are equal in all respects?
Chapter on Diyat (Blood Money) for Wounds
Al-Mughni
Book of Blood-Money (Diyyāt)
Primary text
If both hands on one arm are equal and neither is capable of grasping, the penalty is one-third of the *diya* of a hand or a discretionary indemnity. Full *diya* for the hand is not mandated because they lack full utility, thus resembling a paralyzed hand. If both hands are capable of grasping, the full *diya* of one hand is incumbent upon them collectively. There are two legal opinions regarding whether an additional discretionary indemnity is due, depending on whether the extra hand incurs *hukuma* or not.
Supporting text
If only one hand is severed when both are equal, retaliation (*qisas*) is not applied because it is uncertain whether the severed hand was the principal or the extra one, meaning the principal hand cannot be severed in retaliation for an uncertain extra part. In this case, half of the indemnity due for severing both equally is due. If a finger is severed from one of these hands, the indemnity is half of a finger's value, with two opinions regarding a discretionary indemnity.