Chapter on Rare Cases of Blood Money (Diyyat)

In the narration of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya through his chain of transmission, it is reported that a man was brought before Al-Ma'mun for having pushed another man into a well, resulting in his death. Al-Ma'mun ordered that the man be executed. The man said: "I was in my house when I heard cries for help. I rushed out quickly with my sword and passed by this man who was standing at the edge of a well. I pushed him, and he fell into the well." Al-Ma'mun consulted the jurists about this matter. Some of them said he should be subjected to retribution, while others suggested different punishments. Al-Ma'mun then asked Abu Al-Hasan عليه السلام about this matter and wrote to him. Abu Al-Hasan عليه السلام replied: "His blood money is upon those who cried out for help." The jurists found this ruling surprising and said to Al-Ma'mun: "Ask him on what basis he gave this ruling." When Al-Ma'mun asked, Abu Al-Hasan عليه السلام said: "A woman once complained to Prophet Sulayman ibn Dawud عليه السلام about the wind. She said: 'I was on the roof of my house when a gust of wind pushed me, and I fell into a courtyard, breaking my arm.' Sulayman عليه السلام summoned the wind and asked: 'What caused you to do this to this woman?' The wind replied: 'O' Prophet of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the ship of a certain people was in the sea and was on the verge of sinking. I passed by this woman while hurrying to help them, and she fell, breaking her arm.' Sulayman عليه السلام ruled that the compensation for her arm should be paid by the people of the ship."