What is Diya (Blood Money) Under UAE Law?
Diya — often translated as "blood money" — is a form of financial compensation mandated by UAE law for cases involving death or serious injury caused by another person's act or negligence. It is rooted in Islamic Sharia law and is formally recognised in UAE Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 (the Penal Code) and Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (the Civil Code).
Unlike conventional civil damages, Diya is not discretionary — it is a right that the family of the deceased (or the victim in injury cases) is automatically entitled to where the legal conditions are met. UAE courts cannot waive or reduce Diya below the statutory minimum without the consent of the eligible recipients.
Diya Amounts and How They Are Calculated
Minimum Diya for Death
The minimum Diya for loss of life is AED 200,000 under current UAE law. This amount is a floor, not a ceiling — courts can and regularly do award higher amounts based on the circumstances of the death, the degree of fault, and the number of dependants.
Diya for Serious Injury
UAE law also provides for partial Diya payments for serious and permanent injuries, calculated as a fraction of the full Diya based on the nature and severity of the injury. For example, loss of one eye or one hand may attract 50% of the full Diya amount.
Additional Civil Compensation
In addition to Diya, bereaved families and victims can claim:
- Lost financial support (dependant compensation)
- Moral damages for grief, pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Future care costs for injured survivors
- Loss of the deceased's future income stream
When Does Diya Apply in the UAE?
Road Traffic Fatalities
Diya applies in virtually all fatal road traffic accidents in the UAE where another party bears fault. It is one of the most common scenarios. The at-fault driver's compulsory third-party insurer is typically required to pay the Diya, which is why motor insurance in the UAE includes Diya coverage by law.
Workplace Fatal Accidents
Where an employee dies in a workplace accident due to employer negligence or unsafe conditions, Diya is payable alongside workers' compensation entitlements under UAE labour law.
Medical Negligence Deaths
Where a patient dies as a result of proven medical negligence, Diya is payable by the responsible healthcare provider and their professional indemnity insurer, in addition to civil compensation for the family.
Criminal Violence
Diya arises in criminal cases involving homicide, assault causing death, and other serious offences. In criminal proceedings, a family may choose to accept Diya as a form of settlement — but this does not prevent a separate civil compensation claim.
Who Is Entitled to Diya?
Under UAE law, Diya is paid to the designated legal heirs (ahl al-aqil) of the deceased according to Sharia inheritance principles. Our lawyers advise on the correct distribution of Diya among eligible family members, including spouses, children, parents and siblings, and ensure that all eligible recipients receive their correct share.
For non-Muslim expatriates in the UAE, Diya proceedings follow a modified framework, and courts may apply different rules regarding eligible recipients. Our multilingual team advises clients of all faiths and nationalities on their specific entitlements.
