Fatwa No : 84414
Ruling on Qisas and Diyat When Some Heirs Forgive the Killer

Ruling on Qisas and Diyat When Some Heirs Forgive the Killer

What do the esteemed scholars and honorable muftis say regarding the following matter: Zaid killed his father. The deceased left behind two wives, three daughters, mother, and one brother and sister among his heirs. After some time, the deceased’s mother also passed away. Now the question is: among the heirs of the deceased, the wives and daughters wish to forgive the killer, while the brother and sister do not wish to forgive him. Do the brother and sister of the deceased have the right to demand the punishment for this killer? If they do, what punishment can they demand? Kindly inform us of the Shari‘ah ruling. Your response will be greatly appreciated.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be clear that if even one of the heirs forgives the killer, Qisas (retaliatory execution) is dropped according to Shari‘ah. However, for those heirs who have not forgiven the killer, the killer remains liable to pay Diyat (blood money), which will be distributed among them according to their respective shares in inheritance. As for those who have forgiven the killer without taking any compensation, they will not receive anything from the Diyat.
Therefore, in the case in question, the brother and sister of the deceased are entitled to receive Diyat from the killer in proportion to their respective shares, and it will be obligatory upon the killer to pay them this Diyat. The deceased’s mother, daughters, and wives, however, do not have the right to claim Diyat from the killer.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

كما في الفتاوى الهندية: ومن عفا من ورثة المقتول عن القصاص رجل أو امرأة أو أم أو جدة أو من سواهن من النساء أو كان المقتول امرأة فعفا زوجها عن القاتل فلا سبيل إلى القصاص كذا في السراج الوهاج إن صالح أحد الشركاء من نصيبه على عوض أو عفا سقط حق الباقين عن القصاص وكان لهم نصيبهم من الدية ولا يجب للعافي شيء من المال وإذا كان القصاص بين رجلين فعفا أحدهما فللآخر نصف الدية في مال القاتل في ثلاث سنين كذا في الكافي اھ (6/ 21)۔