Is the blood money (diyah) of a slain person inheritable?
Chapter on Distant Kindred (Dhawu al-Arham)
Al-Mughni
Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)
Primary text
The blood money of a person killed is inherited like their other wealth. This view is supported by the general body of scholars and is supported by the ruling of the Prophet (peace be upon him) wherein he ruled that the wife inherits from the blood money of her husband, as narrated concerning the wife of Ushaim Al-Dababi. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) judged that the blood money is an inheritance distributed among the heirs of the slain person according to their prescribed shares. Another narration indicates that the woman inherits from the wealth and blood money of her husband, and he from hers and her blood money, provided neither kills the other.
Supporting text
A differing view attributed to 'Ali, and previously held by 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, was that only the agnatic relations ('asabat) who are responsible for providing the blood money ('aqilah) inherit it, and that the wife does not inherit anything from her husband's blood money. 'Umar later retracted this opinion upon learning of the Prophet's ruling regarding the wife's inheritance.