How is the required equivalent determined for game species where the Companions issued specific rulings?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
For game species where the Companions have already issued a ruling, that specific ruling must be followed. This position is held by 'Ata', Al-Shafi'i, and Ishaq. Specific rulings include a ram for the hyena (ruled by 'Umar, 'Ali, Jabir, and Ibn 'Abbas, and supported by a Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah), a cow for the onager (wild ass, ruled by 'Umar), a sheep for the gazelle (ruled by 'Umar and 'Ali), and a young female goat (Jafrah) for the jerboa (ruled by 'Umar and supported by Abu Thur).
Supporting text
Malik stated that judgment should be re-established in these cases because Allah commanded judgment by two just men. This view is countered by the necessity of following the Companions, who were closer to correctness and clearer in knowledge, making their rulings authoritative.