Chapter: The Prescribed Amounts of Blood-Money

The diyah (blood-money) for taking a life varies according to five factors: the victim’s religion, legal status (free or enslaved), sex, and whether the slain person was already born and visible or still a fetus in the womb.

The highest valuation is that of a free Muslim. It equals:
• one thousand mithqals of gold,
• or twelve thousand silver dirhams minted to the Islamic standard, ten of which weigh seven mithqals,
• or one hundred camels,
• or two hundred cattle,
• or two thousand sheep.

Abu Dawud relates from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, fixed the diyah for people who own camels at one hundred camels, for those with cattle at two hundred head of cattle, and for those with sheep at two thousand sheep.”

Ikrimah reports on the authority of Ibn ʿAbbas that “A man was killed, so the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, set his diyah at twelve thousand dirhams.” This was transmitted by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.

The letter of ʿAmr ibn Ḥazm states: “For those who possess gold, the diyah is one thousand dinars.” This was narrated by al-Nasa’i and others.

The scholars have differed as to whether these specified items constitute the primary bases of the diyah;