And if they are liable for compensation in equal shares, the slave’s share attaches to his person: his master may either surrender him in settlement of the injury claim or redeem him. If he redeems him, he pays whichever is less: the slave’s value or the compensation due for the injury. This is the position of al-Shāfiʿī and one of the two reported positions of Ahmad. According to the other reported position, and the school of Mālik, he redeems him by paying the full compensation for the injury, however much it may be. If, however, the slave causes an injury and flees, so that his master cannot surrender him, the master is under no obligation unless he voluntarily chooses to assume it. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

Three men were carrying a marble column. Two of them then threw the column onto the third, breaking his leg. What is due from them?

He replied:

Praise be to Allah. Yes, if they dropped the marble column onto him and thereby broke his lower leg, they must pay compensation for that injury. Some scholars require two camels, as is the well-known position reported from Ahmad. Others require assessed compensation: the injured person’s value is assessed as though he had no fracture, then assessed with the fracture. The reduction in his value is determined, and compensation is due in proportion to that reduction. And Allah knows best.