And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment [diyah] presented to his [i.e., the deceased's] family [is required], unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if he [i.e., the deceased] was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allāh. And Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.
Sahih International
وَمَا
wamā
And not
Word breakdown
وَ
Harf · Resumption particleand
مَا
Harf · Negative particlenot/what
Grammar rules
وَمَا (And not) is a negation word — it makes the next word negative, like "not" or "no".
We add "not" or "no" to negate what follows.
Lesson 19 · Negation & Exceptions