What is the ruling when a slave intentionally kills another slave?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Wounds
Primary text
If a slave intentionally kills another slave, the master of the murdered slave has the choice between retribution (Qisas) or granting pardon. If the master pardons in exchange for financial compensation (مال), that compensation becomes attached to the neck of the killer slave. The killer slave's master then has the choice to redeem him (pay the compensation) or surrender him for execution. If the killer's master chooses redemption, he must pay the lesser of the killer slave's value or the murdered slave's value, as the payment acts as a substitute for the life in either case.
Supporting text
A secondary narration suggests that if the killer's master chooses redemption, he is liable for the full amount of the injury (Arsh al-Jinaayah), regardless of the value comparison, because if the slave were surrendered for sale, a bidder might exceed his normal value.