Should we pay indemnity for one who, neither ate, nor drank, nor made any noise, who was just like a nonentity? Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) remarked: He speaks rhymed phrases like the people of the desert. He did impose indemnity upon them.
Narrated by Al-Mughira b. Shu'ba reported that a woman struck her co-wife with a tent-pole and she was pregnant and she killed her. One of them belonged to the tribe of Lihyan. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made the relatives of the murderer responsible for the payment of blood-wit on her behalf, and fixed a slave or a female slave as the indemnity for what was in her womb. One of the persons amongst the relatives of the murderer said:
Context
In this hadith, a tragic incident occurs where a pregnant woman is killed by her co-wife using a tent-pole. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ addresses the situation by placing the responsibility of blood-wit on the relatives of the murderer and stipulates an indemnity for the unborn child. This highlights the importance of accountability and justice in cases of harm, even in complex family dynamics.
Modern Application
This hadith emphasizes the importance of accountability in familial relationships and the need for justice in cases of harm. In today's context, it serves as a reminder for communities to address conflicts and ensure that justice is served, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Blood Money because it discusses the concept of indemnity for wrongful death, emphasizing the responsibility of the family of the perpetrator.
It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
There is not upon the weak or upon the ill or upon those who do not find anything to spend any discomfort when they are sincere to Allah and His Messenger. There is not upon the doers of good any cause [for blame]. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' "
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or upon the ill any guilt [for remaining behind]. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger - He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He will punish him with a painful punishment.
This hadith is #4263 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Oaths, Muharibin, Qasas (Retaliation), and Diyat (Blood Money). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Al-Mughira b. Shu'ba reported that a woman struck her co-wife with a tent-pole and she was pregnant and she killed her. One of them belonged to the tribe of Lihyan. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made the relatives of the murderer responsible for the payment of blood-wit on her behalf, and fixed a slave or a female slave as the indemnity for what was in her womb. One of the persons amongst the relatives of the murderer said:.
