What are the rulings regarding blood money (diyya) in the Holy Quran?

The blood money (Diyya) is obligatory in cases of accidental killing and semi-intentional killing. It is a right of the deceased's heirs, to be divided among them according to the prescribed inheritance shares, and the killer has no right to it. The amount of Diyya varies depending on the type of asset: one hundred camels, or two hundred cows, or two thousand sheep, or one thousand gold dinars, or twelve thousand silver dirhams.

In addition to the Diyya, expiation (Kaffarah) is obligatory, which is the freeing of a believing slave who is free from defects. If the killer cannot find one, then he must fast for two consecutive months. The Holy Qur'an affirms this in the Almighty's saying: "And it is not for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to his family, unless they give [it in charity]..." (An-Nisa: 92-93).

Scholars have differed regarding the obligation of Diyya in intentional killing if the guardian pardons the retaliation (Qisas) and chooses Diyya.