What is the ruling when a slave intentionally kills two slaves belonging to a single master?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Wounds
Primary text
If a slave intentionally kills two slaves belonging to one master, the master may execute the killer slave for one of them, thereby forfeiting his right to retribution for the other. Alternatively, the master may pardon in exchange for financial compensation, in which case the value of both murdered slaves becomes attached to the neck of the killer slave.
Supporting text
If the two murdered slaves belong to two different masters, the killer slave is executed for the first master whose right arose first. If the first master pardons in exchange for financial compensation, the killer slave is then executed for the second master. If the killer is executed for the first master, the second master receives compensation from the proceeds of the sale of the killer slave. If the killer is executed for both simultaneously, lots are drawn between the masters to determine who executes, and the right of the other is forfeited. If the second master executes the killer after the first master pardoned for value, the right of the first master to compensation is forfeited as the subject of his claim no longer exists. If the second master also pardons for value, the value of the second murdered slave is also attached to the killer's neck, and the proceeds are divided proportionally to the values, as value claims are divisible, unlike retribution which cannot be partially enforced among multiple claimants.