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"And it is not for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake, and whoever kills a believer by mistake must set free a believing slave, and pay the blood-money to the family of the slain unless they remit it as a freewill offering. But if he (the slain) is from a tribe hostile unto you, and he is a believer, then (the penance is) to set free a believing slave. And if he is from a tribe between whom and you there is a covenant.

Then the blood-money must be paid to his family and (also) a believing slave must be set free. But he who finds not (the means) should fast two months consecutively. (This is) a penance from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." Occasion of Revelation One of the idolaters of Mecca called Harith-ibn- Yazid, assisted by 'Abujahl, had seriously been torturing a Muslim believer named 'Ayyash-ibn-' Abi- Rabi'ah for the guilt of believing in Islam for a length of time.

After immigrating Muslims to Medina, 'Ayyash emigrated to Medina, too. It happened that one day he occasionally met his torturer in one of the quarters of the suburbs of Medina. Availing himself of the opportunity, he killed him. He thought he had slain an enemy of Islam while Harith, who was going toward the Prophet (S) at that moment, had repented and embraced Islam.

The circumstance was reported to the holy Prophet (S) when the verse was revealed and stated the ordinance of the slaughter which had been done by mistake.