AVENGER OF BLOOD

In the Muhammadan Law, as in the Jewish, the punishment for wilful murder is left to the next of kin; but in the Jewish code the avenger of blood was compelled to take the life of the murder whilst in the Muslim code he may accept compensation, vide Qur'an Surah ii. 173, "O believers; retaliation (Qisas for blood-shedding is prescribed to you; the free man for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the woman for the woman; but he to whom his brother shall make any remission is to be dealt with equitably; and a payment should be made to him with liberality. This is a relaxation (i.e. of the stricter lex talionis) from your Lord, and a mercy." [QISAS.]