and to abstract notions as well. What is meant by “his rancor” is malice, enmity, and hatred—the plural is ḍaghāʾin. All of this stems from Satan’s leap, his whisperings, and his enticement to sow discord among people.
What may be inferred from the ḥadith
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The definition of quasi-intentional homicide (shibh al-ʿamd) has already been given: it carries a trace of intentionality, in that the assault itself is deliberate, and a trace of error, in that killing was not intended and the causal link is weak.
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Because retribution (qiṣāṣ) is not established in such a case, yet the act retains a measure of intentionality by virtue of the deliberate assault, the blood-money is therefore aggravated.
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On the manner of aggravating the blood-money, scholars hold two opinions:
• First: the compensation is to be paid in four equal quarters—twenty-five two-year-old she-camels (banāt al-makhāḍ), twenty-five three-year-olds (banāt labūn), twenty-five four-year-olds (ḥiqqah), and twenty-five five-year-olds (jazʿah). This is the well-known position in the school of Aḥmad, the view of Abū Ḥanīfah, and is transmitted from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) as a Companion report and from others as a prophetic tradition, as noted earlier.
• Second: the aggravation consists of thirty ḥiqqahs, thirty jazʿahs, and forty khilfahs—pregnant camels carrying offspring in their wombs. This is the view of Mālik and al-Shāfiʿī and a report from Aḥmad selected by some of his adherents. -
Quasi-intentional killing often occurs without any deep-seated enmity, rancor, or the brandishing of weapons. Rather, Satan intrudes during horseplay or jest, an unintended death results, and bloodshed ensues among people. Allah is indeed Gentle with His servants.