❖ Why Man’s Blood Money (Diyah) is Higher: A Just System for Protecting Women's Rights ❖
Some claim that Islam assigns greater value to men over women because the blood money (diyah) for a man is twice that of a woman.
But this misunderstands the purpose of diyah, which is not a measure of personal worth or virtue, but a reflection of financial responsibilities within the Islamic family structure.
✔ Islam places the burden of financial responsibility (nafaqah) on the man — not the woman.
✔ If a man is killed, his death causes a significant economic loss to the household, as he is:
✔ Therefore, his higher diyah serves as compensation to the family for the economic damage incurred by his death — not a sign of superiority over the woman.
Sometimes it's asked:
“If a woman financially supports her home, should her diyah be equal to a man’s?”
◈ The answer: No, because Islamic law does not assign financial responsibility to the woman, regardless of whether she works or contributes to household expenses.
◈ If she voluntarily contributes, it is her virtue and generosity, and she shall be rewarded —
but the legal burden remains on the man, and thus the law reflects that.
A critical question to ask those who object:
➤ When a woman is killed and receives half diyah — who receives it?
✔ It goes to her husband or family, not buried with her.
➤ When a man is killed and full diyah is paid — who benefits from it?
✔ It goes to his wife, children, and dependents — often women.
✔ In the case of a man’s death, the greater diyah often benefits his wife and children, ensuring their financial stability after losing their guardian.
✔ Therefore, even though the amount appears unequal, the ultimate benefit is fair and often directed toward the woman.
Diyah is not a reflection of human value or virtue, but of economic responsibility
A woman’s financial exemption in Islam is a protection and honor, not a deficiency
The higher diyah for men compensates the financial void left by their death
Ultimately, the financial benefit often returns to the woman or her family
❀ Common Objection:
Some claim that Islam assigns greater value to men over women because the blood money (diyah) for a man is twice that of a woman.
But this misunderstands the purpose of diyah, which is not a measure of personal worth or virtue, but a reflection of financial responsibilities within the Islamic family structure.
❖ Why Is Man’s Diyah Higher?
✔ Islam places the burden of financial responsibility (nafaqah) on the man — not the woman.
✔ If a man is killed, his death causes a significant economic loss to the household, as he is:
- The breadwinner
- Responsible for wife, children, and dependent relatives
✔ Therefore, his higher diyah serves as compensation to the family for the economic damage incurred by his death — not a sign of superiority over the woman.
❖ What If the Woman Is the Breadwinner?
Sometimes it's asked:
“If a woman financially supports her home, should her diyah be equal to a man’s?”
◈ The answer: No, because Islamic law does not assign financial responsibility to the woman, regardless of whether she works or contributes to household expenses.
◈ If she voluntarily contributes, it is her virtue and generosity, and she shall be rewarded —
but the legal burden remains on the man, and thus the law reflects that.
❖ Who Benefits From the Diyah?
A critical question to ask those who object:
➤ When a woman is killed and receives half diyah — who receives it?
✔ It goes to her husband or family, not buried with her.
➤ When a man is killed and full diyah is paid — who benefits from it?
✔ It goes to his wife, children, and dependents — often women.
❖ Ultimately, the Benefit Returns to the Woman
✔ In the case of a man’s death, the greater diyah often benefits his wife and children, ensuring their financial stability after losing their guardian.
✔ Therefore, even though the amount appears unequal, the ultimate benefit is fair and often directed toward the woman.
❖ Summary:
Diyah is not a reflection of human value or virtue, but of economic responsibility A woman’s financial exemption in Islam is a protection and honor, not a deficiency The higher diyah for men compensates the financial void left by their death Ultimately, the financial benefit often returns to the woman or her family