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Argument 11 of 20 · Sunan an-Nasā'ī

Diyya for Non-Muslim Is Half (or Third) of Muslim's

Nasa'i 4742 (parallels d18, t20)
The text
Nasa'i 4742 — Various Nasa'i hadith on diyya for non-Muslim victims, with cross-school differential rates. The Nasa'i preservation parallels the framework treated under Abu Dawud 4587 (entry d18) and Tirmidhi 1407 (entry t20).
Context

Nasa'i 4742 reinforces the differential-diyya framework. The substantive issues are addressed in entries d18 and t20. The Nasa'i contribution: cross-collection independent attestation of the religious-class hierarchy in Islamic compensation law.

The analysis from entries d18 and t20 applies fully here.

Premises
  1. P1. Nasa'i 4742 preserves the differential diyya framework with religious-class hierarchy.
  2. P2. The hadith is in multiple canonical collections — overwhelming cross-collection attestation.
  3. P3. The framework codifies non-Muslim lives as worth less than Muslim lives in financial compensation.
  4. P4. Combined with gender halving (entry d05), the system produces intersectional reductions.
  5. P5. The framework continues in modern Muslim-majority application.
  6. P6. Modern Muslim apologetic responses (Hanafi equalisation, procedural defense) cannot fully refute the textual basis.
  7. P7. A morally serious revelation does not codify religious-class hierarchy in human-life valuation. (See entries d18, t20.)
Conclusion

Nasa'i 4742 reinforces the differential-diyya framework. (See entries d18, t20 for substantive analysis.)

Common Muslim responses · with counter-responses
Common Muslim response · 1

Hanafi school equalises diyya — Islam admits multiple interpretations.

Counter-response

Minority position; most schools differential. (See d18.)

Common Muslim response · 2

Diyya reflects 7th-century economy; modern reform is appropriate.

Counter-response

The framework codifies religious supremacy; reform is partial. (See d18.)

Common Muslim response · 3

Procedural rule, not moral judgment.

Counter-response

The procedure determines life-valuation. (See d18.)

Common Muslim response · 4

Modern Muslim states reform under pressure.

Counter-response

Reform is uneven and externally driven. (See d18.)

Common Muslim response · 5

Other ancient legal systems were similar.

Counter-response

Most have been reformed; Islamic textual basis remains. (See d18.)