Qisas — The Balance Between Justice and Pardon
fiqh
Level: intermediate
hudud
fqh-015
وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡقِصَاصِ حَيَوٰةٌ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ
— البقرة 179
Verse: "We prescribed for them: a life for a life, an eye for an eye..." (5:45)
Qisas for killing: Killing the intentional murderer — condition: equivalence (Muslim for Muslim; free for free in one opinion; majority equalize).
Three options for the victim's guardian: Qisas (execution); Diya (blood money: 100 camels or equivalent); Free pardon.
"In qisas there is life for you": The deterrence principle — the existence of punishment reduces crime and protects society.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (2/248); Ibn Al-Arabi (1/62); Ibn Qudama (8/290)
Question: What are the options available to the murder victim's guardian?
Answer: Three options: qisas (execution), diya (100 camels or equivalent), or free pardon — and pardon is the best.