Legal Retribution

O believers, legal retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder, the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if the victim’s family pardons the killer, then a fair settlement must be made. This is an alleviation and mercy from your Lord. Yet whoever transgresses after that will face a painful punishment.

2:178O ye who believe! Retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painful doom.