Chapter: Diya (Blood Money) for Wounds

Wounds are categorized into two types: First, al-shijaj (head or face wounds). Second, wounds occurring elsewhere on the body, which are divided into two categories: First, severing an organ. Second, cutting flesh. Liabilities regarding a human being are of two types: First, what we have already mentioned. Second, the loss of a benefit, such as the loss of hearing, sight, or intellect.

1482 - Issue: He (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever destroys one of the singular parts of a human, the full diya is due, and whatever has two parts, half the diya is due for each of them."

In summary, every organ that Allah, glory be to Him and Exalted is He, did not create more than one of in a human—such as the tongue, the nose, the penis, and the spine—requires a full diya. This is because destroying them involves the destruction of the utility of the species, and its destruction is like the destruction of the soul itself. As for what has two parts, such as the hands, feet, eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, testicles, breasts, and buttocks, the full diya is due for both; because destroying them involves the destruction of the utility of the species, and half the diya is due for one of them, because destroying it involves the destruction of half the utility of the species. This summary constitutes the school of al-Shafi'i, and we know of no dissenting opinion regarding it. Al-Zuhri narrated from Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn 'Amr ibn Hazm, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) wrote a letter for him, which included: "For the nose, if it is completely severed, the diya is due; for the tongue, the diya is due; for the lips, the diya is due; for the testicles, the diya is due; for the penis, the diya is due; for the spine, the diya is due; for the two eyes, the diya is due; and for one foot, half the diya is due."