Blood Money in Saudi Arabia: The Khashoggi Case and Beyond

The concept of blood money in Saudi Arabia has been at the center of controversy, particularly in the case of Jamal Khashoggi's murder. The Saudi government offered a settlement of 5 million Saudi riyals, approximately $1.3 million, to Khashoggi's family in exchange for their silence.

This practice of paying off victims' families is rooted in Sharia law, which allows for the payment of diya, or blood money, to relatives of a victim in lieu of punishment for a crime.

The Khashoggi case is just one example of how blood money is used in Saudi Arabia to avoid accountability for human rights abuses. The Saudi government has a history of using this tactic to silence critics and cover up its actions.

In Saudi Arabia, the concept of blood money, or diyya, is rooted in Islamic law, which authorizes the collection of money by the family of one killed through intent or accident.

The Quran actually advises that forgiveness receives its reward from God, but the practice of collecting blood money often takes precedence over forgiveness.

Some people view tragedy as a way to make millions of Riyals from the families of those charged with causing a death, which runs contrary to the Islamic purpose.

In Saudi Arabia, if a family cannot pay blood money, the culpable party faces execution, a practice that many find disturbing.

Over 150 beheading cases are awaiting mediation and the victim's family to drop their case, but the family often insists on beheading or blood money in millions.

The issue of forgiving people sentenced to beheading has become more materialistic, with many families choosing to accept blood money rather than forgive for the sake of Allah.

The concept of blood money has distorted the image of people setting a good example and forgiving for the sake of Allah, even if with some financial or moral return.

The Saudi government has reportedly offered blood money to the family of Jamal Khashoggi, which they have accepted, but some critics argue that the family is under pressure and cannot forgive willingly.

The Khashoggi family's decision to accept blood money has sparked serious discussions among fellow Saudi dissidents, with some arguing that it is morally wrong to accept payments from the government.

The Khashoggi family's decision to accept compensation from the Saudi government has sparked debate among activists and observers. The family's four children have remained relatively quiet since their father's killing, with daughters Noha and Razan Jamal publishing a tribute to him in the Post.

The reported payment of blood money to the Khashoggi family has been seen as a way to silence them, with Saudi activist Omaima Al Najjar suggesting that the family is "not free to forgive" due to pressure from the government.

The large amount of money paid to the Khashoggi family is due in part to their close relationship with the royal family for decades.

The Khashoggi children have received a significant amount of money from the Saudi government. This payment is reportedly a form of blood money, a practice where families are given compensation to forgive and move on from past wrongdoing.

The family is not free to forgive willingly, as they are under pressure. This is according to human rights activist Abdullah Al-Assiri, who believes the family's silence and acceptance of the payment is a result of coercion.

Khashoggi's daughters, Noha and Razan Jamal, have been relatively quiet since their father's killing, but did publish a tribute to him in the Post on November 23.

In Saudi Arabia's history, families who stayed in the area after the founding of the state in 1932 were given blood money to start anew with the ruler. This practice is referenced by Saudi activist Omaima Al Najjar, who notes that the Khashoggi family's close ties to the royal family would have influenced the amount of money they received.

Al Najjar believes it's not morally wrong for Khashoggi's family to accept the payment or favors from the government. She suggests that continuing to fight for justice may not be worth it, especially if the truth about Khashoggi's death is unlikely to be revealed.

The U.S. Response to the Case was swift and decisive. The U.S. imposed sanctions on 17 Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in response to the killing.

The sanctions were a significant move, but some critics argued that they didn't go far enough. The U.S. also revoked the visas of the Saudi officials involved.

The U.S. government's actions were seen as a way to hold the Saudi government accountable for the killing. The case had sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.

The U.S. also called for a thorough investigation into the killing, which was led by the CIA and the FBI. The investigation found that the Crown Prince had likely ordered the killing.

The U.S. response was seen as a way to maintain a delicate balance between its relationship with Saudi Arabia and its commitment to human rights.

In Saudi Arabia, the concept of blood money, or diyya, is a complex and often contradictory practice.

The Quran authorizes the collection of blood money by the family of one killed through intent or accident, but also admonishes that forgiveness receives its reward from God.

Some view tragedy as a way to grub millions of Riyals out of the families of those charged with causing a death, which runs contrary to Islamic purpose and needs reform.

Over 150 beheading cases are awaiting mediation and the victim's family to drop their case, but the family insists that beheading be carried out or blood money be paid in millions.

In Saudi Arabia, the practice of collecting blood money, or diyya, is a complex issue that raises questions about morality and the pursuit of justice. The Quran authorizes the collection of blood money by the family of one killed through intent or accident.

The amount of blood money paid can be substantial, with some cases involving millions of Riyals. If the family cannot pay, the culpable party faces execution.

Families of victims often find themselves in a difficult position, as they may feel pressure to accept blood money to avoid further suffering. Omaima Al Najjar, a Saudi activist, notes that the Khashoggi family's decision to accept payments was likely influenced by the fact that they were under pressure and not free to forgive willingly.

In some cases, the pursuit of blood money has become a materialistic endeavor, where lives are bought and sold. Over 150 beheading cases are awaiting mediation, with the victim's family insisting on either beheading or blood money.

The issue of forgiving people sentenced to beheading has become more materialistic, with the family's decision often being driven by financial considerations. This has distorted the image of people setting a good example and forgiving for the sake of Allah, even if with some financial or moral return.

The Quran teaches that forgiveness receives its reward from God, but in practice, the collection of blood money often takes precedence. This has led to a situation where forgiveness has become "pardon for the sake of money", rather than a genuine act of mercy.

In Saudi Arabia, the death penalty is a harsh reality for many. The country has a high execution rate, with an average of 120 executions per year between 2013 and 2019.

Saudi Arabia has a long history of using beheadings as a method of execution. In 2019, the country executed 184 people, with 73 of them being beheaded.

The death penalty in Saudi Arabia is often reserved for the most serious crimes, such as murder, treason, and apostasy. However, the definition of these crimes can be broad and open to interpretation.

The country's strict adherence to Sharia law means that the death penalty can be applied in a wide range of circumstances. In 2019, a Saudi court sentenced a man to death for allegedly being a spy for a foreign country.

The death penalty in Saudi Arabia is often carried out in public, with the goal of serving as a deterrent to others. In 2019, a group of 37 men were beheaded in a public square in Riyadh.

Executions in Saudi Arabia are often carried out by beheading, but other methods such as firing squads and crucifixion have also been used in the past.