QATLUL KHATA’ ACCIDENTAL KILLING AND ITS SHAR’I CONSEQUENCES
Recently on the occasion of Eidul Adha, a man accidentally killed a 12 year old girl. While intending to shoot a bull which was on the rampage, the bullet struck the girl who died.
Accidental killing is termed Qatlul Khata’ in the Shariah. Regarding this type of killing, the Qur’aan Majeed states:
“Whoever kills a Mu’min accidentally shall emancipate a Mu’min slave and pay the Diyat (blood money) to the family of the killed person………He who cannot find (a slave) should fast two consecutive months as repentance (prescribed by) Allah.” (An-Nisaa’, Aayat 92)
The Diyat (Blood Money) prescribed by the Shariah for a male is 10,000 dirhams (silver coins) or 1,000 dinars (gold coins). This monetary penalty is to be paid by the Aaqilah to the heirs of the killed person. In our context the Aaqilah will be the Asbaat (the male family members on the father’s side).
According to the Shariah, the Diyat is to be paid over three years. The current Diyat amount in terms of silver is R1.2 million. However, for a female the Diyat is half this amount.
The killer has to fast two consecutive months.
17 Zul-Hijjah 1447 – 4 June 2026