28/11. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1681a — Unborn Child Compensation
The Diyah for a fetus; and the Diyah for accidental killing and the ambiguous killing must be paid by the shahiqilah of the killer
Diyat for Unborn Child: A Simple Explanation of Sahih Muslim 1681a
Sahih Muslim : 1681a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1681a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ امْرَأَتَيْنِ، مِنْ هُذَيْلٍ رَمَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا الأُخْرَى فَطَرَحَتْ جَنِينَهَا فَقَضَى فِيهِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِغُرَّةٍ عَبْدٍ أَوْ أَمَةٍ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Among two women of the tribe of Hudhail one flung a stone upon the other causing an abortion to her so Allah's Apostle (may peace he upon him) gave judgment that a male or a female slave of best quality be given as compensation.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1681aIn-book reference : Book 28, Hadith 48USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 16, Hadith 4166
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1681a
This Hadith speaks about diyat for an unborn child. Two women from Hudhail were involved in a harmful act: one threw a stone at the other, and this caused the loss of the unborn child. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم judged that compensation should be given in the form of a male or female slave of best quality, as stated in the translation. The Hadith is short, but its message is serious. Harm done to a pregnant woman is not treated as a small matter. The unborn child is mentioned directly, and a judgment is given for the loss. The text does not describe extra details about intent, argument, or later family matters, so this explanation stays with the stated event and ruling. People searching for the abortion compensation hadith will find here a clear report about responsibility after harm.
What we learn from this hadith
- Harm to a pregnant woman can carry legal responsibility.
- The unborn child’s loss is directly addressed in the judgment.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave a clear form of compensation in this case.
