Learn Islam – The Concept of Blood Money aka Diyya In Islam

on Thursday, June 7, 2012

If you are looking to learn Islam and its various principles then you will love to learn about the concept of Blood Money or Diya in Islam. It is a typical Islamic terminology that refers to monetary compensation, which is paid by the offender i.e murderer etc., or members of his family to the kin group or family of a sufferer. The Holy Qur’an explains the law of Qisas that is retaliation in detail however, advises that the family of the sufferer should prefer compensation that is Diyya instead of Qisas or retaliation.

The holy Quran directs paying Diyyat or blood money strictly in accordance with the law mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The law of blood money or Diyya is same in both the unintentional as well as intentional murder. The similar concept of Diyyat or blood money was also present in the pre-Islamic era. At that time the diyya was only paid in the form of animals as well as goods instead of cash.  However, the Islam recommended minor changes in the form of diyya that is after the arrival of Islam, the blood money or diyya can only be paid in the form of cash in order to avoid any frauds.

Those looking to learn Islam would also be interested to know the amount of Diyya or Blood money.  Well, no exact amount of blood money or diya is mentioned in the holy scriptures of Islam that are the Holy Qur’an as well as the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. Similarly, the amount of Diya does not vary based on gender, freedom state of the sufferer or ethnicity of the sufferer.

The holy Qur’an leaves the matter of Diya or blood money amount to the family of the sufferer as well the customs of a particular society. The family of the sufferer can demand as much amount as they desire from the offender or the family of the offender. However, if the family of the victim or sufferer forgives the offender, in that case the offender or the family of the offender is not liable to pay any blood money or diya.

The amount of diya or blood money in case of any non-Muslim involvement would also be a matter of great interest for those looking to learn Islam. Well, there is a minor difference of opinion in the four schools of thought. According to the Shafi school of thought, the amount of diya or blood money would be about one third in case of any non-Muslim that is a Jew or Christian if he was Dhimmi. Similarly, according to the Malki school of thought the amount of blood money or diya would be about half in case of Dhimmi non-Muslim. Likewise, according to the Hanfi school of thought the amount of blood money would be the same as for Muslims. Here it is worthwhile to mention that in Yemen the amount of diya or blood money is comparatively higher in case of non Muslims Dhimmi.



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