that called for legal retaliation without his urging pardon.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and others.

Muslim narrated in his Sahīh from Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Charity does not diminish wealth. Allah only increases a servant in honour through his pardoning others, and no one humbles himself before Allah but Allah raises him.”

The equality we have mentioned applies between one free Muslim and another. As for a dhimmī (a non-Muslim subject under Muslim protection), the majority of scholars hold that he is not equal to a Muslim in this respect, just as they unanimously agree that someone granted safe-conduct who comes from the lands of the unbelievers as an envoy, merchant, or the like is not his equal. Some scholars, however, maintain that he is his equal. There is likewise disagreement over putting a free person to death for killing a slave.

The second category is unintentional killing that resembles intentional killing. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Indeed, the blood money for unintentional killing resembling intentional killing—killing with a whip or stick—is one hundred camels, including forty pregnant she-camels carrying their young.”

He called it quasi-intentional because the perpetrator intended to assault the victim by striking him, but with something that does not ordinarily kill. Thus, he intended the assault but did not intend to use a lethal means.

The third category is purely accidental killing and cases treated similarly: for example, someone shoots at game or a target but hits a person without knowing or intending it. Such a case does not entail execution in retaliation, but only blood money and expiation. There are many questions concerning these matters that are well known among scholars and discussed in their books.