Whoever Kills a Believer by Mistake — Free a Slave and Pay Blood Money
fiqh
Level: advanced
hudud
fqh-068
وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤۡمِنًا خَطَـًٔا فَتَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤۡمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ
— النساء 92
Verse: "Whoever kills a believer by mistake — free a believing slave and blood money delivered to his family." (4:92) — Accidental killing: no retaliation. But: expiation (freeing a slave or two consecutive months' fasting) + diya (100 camels or equivalent). "Aqila" (extended family) bears the diya — social solidarity in bearing consequences.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (5/315); Ibn Qudama (8/340)
Question: What is the difference in punishment between intentional and accidental killing?
Answer: Intentional: retaliation, diya, or pardon. Accidental: no retaliation — instead expiation (freeing a slave or fasting) + diya borne by extended family.