❖ Ruling on Accidental Death of a Child Due to Mother's Negligence ❖
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
A woman had her two-year-old daughter sitting beside her. Near the child were a coffee pot and a teapot. The child began to play while the mother, turning her attention away, started washing cups. Suddenly, the child reached for the coffee pot, which fell on her. The coffee was extremely hot. When the child fell, the boiling coffee entered deep into her internal organs, and she passed away 24 hours later. The woman wants to know: is expiation (kaffārah) obligatory upon her? If so, what is the required expiation?
Since the questioner is fully aware of the actual circumstances, if—based on overwhelming likelihood—her negligence contributed to the child’s death, then she is obligated to offer expiation (kaffārah).
The expiation is as follows:
◈ Freeing a slave (if possible);
◈ If that is not possible, then fasting for two consecutive months.
(Fatwa Committee – Dar al-Ifta)
This writing is excerpted from the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women" based on the Fatwas of the Scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
A woman had her two-year-old daughter sitting beside her. Near the child were a coffee pot and a teapot. The child began to play while the mother, turning her attention away, started washing cups. Suddenly, the child reached for the coffee pot, which fell on her. The coffee was extremely hot. When the child fell, the boiling coffee entered deep into her internal organs, and she passed away 24 hours later. The woman wants to know: is expiation (kaffārah) obligatory upon her? If so, what is the required expiation?
❖ Answer:
Since the questioner is fully aware of the actual circumstances, if—based on overwhelming likelihood—her negligence contributed to the child’s death, then she is obligated to offer expiation (kaffārah).
The expiation is as follows:
◈ Freeing a slave (if possible);
◈ If that is not possible, then fasting for two consecutive months.
(Fatwa Committee – Dar al-Ifta)
