O Believers! Retribution (the law of equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in the case of those who are unjustly slain: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave and a woman for a woman. Then, if he (the murderer) is granted some remission (in retribution) by his brother (the victim’s heir), that should be executed fairly according to the law, and (retribution) should be paid (to the heirs of the slain) in a graceful manner. This is a concession and kindness from your Lord. So, anyone who transgresses after that, for him there is painful torment.