The Book of Oaths (qasamah), Retaliation and Blood Money
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَلَفٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ تَمِيمٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا زَائِدَةُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ نُضَيْلَةَ، عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ، أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، ضَرَبَتْ ضَرَّتَهَا بِعَمُودِ فُسْطَاطٍ فَقَتَلَتْهَا وَهِيَ حُبْلَى فَأُتِيَ فِيهَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى عَصَبَةِ الْقَاتِلَةِ بِالدِّيَةِ وَفِي الْجَنِينِ غُرَّةً . فَقَالَ عَصَبَتُهَا أَدِي مَنْ لاَ طَعِمَ وَلاَ شَرِبَ وَلاَ صَاحَ فَاسْتَهَلّ فَمِثْلُ هَذَا يُطَلّ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" أَسَجْعٌ كَسَجْعِ الأَعْرَابِ " .
a woman struck her co-wife with a tent pole and killed her, and she (the slain woman) was pregnant. She was brought to the Prophet, and the Messenger of Allah ruled that the 'Asabah of the killer should pay the Diyah , and a slavae (should be paid) for the fetus. Her 'Asabah said: "Should Diyah be paid for one who neither ate nor drank, or shouted or cried (at the moment of birth)? Such a one should be overlooked." The prophet said: "Rhyming verse like the verse of the Bedouins."
Narrated by It was narrated from Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah that:
Context
This hadith narrates a tragic incident where a woman killed her co-wife while she was pregnant. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ruled on the matter, emphasizing justice and the consequences of one's actions. This incident illustrates the complexities of justice and the need for compassion even in difficult circumstances.
Modern Application
In contemporary society, this hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and accountability in our actions. It encourages individuals to consider the implications of their behavior on others and to seek fair resolutions.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Justice and Qisas (Retribution) because it addresses the principles of justice and accountability in cases of harm and the consequences that follow.
And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceased's family [is required] unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if the deceased was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.
Lodge them [in a section] of where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them. And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth. And if they breastfeed for you, then give them their payment and confer among yourselves in the acceptable way; but if you are in discord, then there may breastfeed for the father another woman.
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.
This hadith is #4831 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Oaths (qasamah), Retaliation and Blood Money and narrated by It was narrated from Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah that:.