Q: We are students at the Faculty of Education for Girls In Jeddah, A discussion was raised concerning the Diyah (blood money) issue in the Shari`ah in case of involuntary manslaughter. We had different opinions and did not decide the proper answers for some questions. Thus, we refer these questions to you for answer. May Allah reward you.A- What is the amount of diyah of a child who is unintentionally killed in a car accident? Is it equal to the Diyah of a man or woman? Please explain it in details.B- How much does the Diyah of a man exceed that of a woman? Are they equal?C- If a non-Muslim (a Christian or a Jew) is killed unintentionally, what is the Diyah that the killer must pay? To whom will it be paid?

A: First, the Diyah of a male child who is killed unintentionally after his birth is equal to the Diyah of a man, and the Diyah of a female child who is killed unintentionally after her birth is equal to the Diyah of a woman, (Part No. 21; Page No. 246) which is half that of a man. Second, the Diyah of a man and a woman who are unintentionally wounded is the same as long as it does not exceed one third of the full Diyah. If it reaches one third of the full Diyah, her damages would become half that of a man. It was related by Al-Nasa'y and Al-Daraqutny on the authority of `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A female receives damages for wounds equal to what a male receives. However, if the amount of damages equals one-third of her Diyah (blood money), she will be entitled to half the damages a male would receive Third, the Diyyah of a Jew or Christian killed unintentionally is one half of the Diyah of a Muslim, and the Diyah of their females is one half of that of their males. It is related by Ahmad, Al-Nasa'y and Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The blood-money for a disbeliever is half that of a Muslim. The wording of another narration reads: He made the Diyah (blood-money) for the People of the Book one half that of Muslims. i.e. the Jews and Christians. Related by Ahmad, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah. The Diyah is paid to the legal heirs. (Part No. 21; Page No. 247) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family, and Companions.