What is the ruling on killing by magic (sihr) that is typically lethal?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Wounds

Book 47 · Issue 11 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a person is killed by magic that is typically lethal, retribution (qawad) is incumbent upon the perpetrator because the killing was caused by an act likely to result in death, similar to being killed by a knife. If the magic is not typically lethal, or if it is sometimes lethal and sometimes not, blood money (diya) is due as it constitutes unintentional intentional killing (shibh al-amd), similar to striking with a stick or stone.