Abu Dawud

(1) In this hadith, it is stated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) set the blood money (diyah) for a fetus (janin), that is, a child in the womb, as fifty sheep, whereas in other authentic ahadith, the blood money for a fetus (janin) is mentioned as "ghurrah" (a male or female slave). Reconciliation between the two narrations is possible in this way: the average price of a slave woman is equivalent to fifty sheep. In this manner, the contradiction between them is resolved. Some other scholars have said that the text of this narration is defective (ma‘lul) due to its opposition to the more authentic narration; thus, in this way, there remains no contradiction between the two narrations.

(2) "Khadhf" refers to throwing small pebbles. Although targeting with small pebbles as a pastime may outwardly seem harmless, it can result in the loss of an eye, the breaking of a tooth, or the injury of a delicate organ; therefore, it has been prohibited. Moreover, it is a useless activity. That woman, too, had struck the other woman with a stone and with the pole of a tent, that is, a piece of wood, which hit the other woman on her abdomen or elsewhere, causing this harm. In this context, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) also declared khadhf to be prohibited.

(3) Imam al-Nasa’i (rahimahullah) states that Abu Nu‘aym (Fadl ibn Dukayn) narrated the aforementioned narration in a mursal form. In his narration, he said: [حَدَّثَنَا یُوسُفُ بْنُ صُھَیْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُاللّٰہِ بْنُ بُرَیْدَۃَ أَنَّ اِمْرَأَۃً… الخ] Meaning, Abu Nu‘aym omitted the mention of the father of ‘Abdullah, i.e., the companion Buraidah (radi Allahu anhu). The upcoming narration is also from Abu Nu‘aym, which he narrated in a mursal form.