Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith 25 – Volume 6, Book 60

English

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 25:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The law of Qisas (i.e. equality in punishment) was prescribed for the children of Israel, but the
Diya (i.e. blood money was not ordained for them). So Allah said to this Nation (i.e. Muslims):
"O you who believe! The law of Al-Qisas (i.e. equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in
cases of murder: The free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if the
relatives (or one of them) of the killed (person) forgive their brother (i.e. the killers something of
Qisas (i.e. not to kill the killer by accepting blood money in the case of intentional murder)—-then
the relatives (of the killed person) should demand blood-money in a reasonable manner and the
killer must pay with handsome gratitude. This is an allevitation and a Mercy from your Lord, (in
comparison to what was prescribed for the nations before you).
So after this, whoever transgresses the limits (i.e. to kill the killer after taking the blood-money)
shall have a painful torment." (2.178)