Q: During a religious class held in Al-Harijah, someone asked the following question: Four years ago, his wife placed her 2-month-old baby near a fire. For some reason, she went out of the house leaving her baby alone. Sparks flew out of the fire and burned the baby who died immediately. Must the mother of this baby pay Kaffarah (expiation)? She is ready to carry out your ruling.

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned that she placed her 2-month-old baby near a fire and left the house leaving him alone and that he died because of the sparks that flew out of the fire, she has to pay Kaffarah for unintentional manslaughter, because of her neglect in protecting her baby. (Part No. 21; Page No. 278) Allah (Exalted be He) says, ...and whosoever kills a believer by mistake, (it is ordained that) he must set free a believing slave and a compensation (blood-money, i.e. Diya) be given to the deceased’s family, unless they remit it. Up to His saying, And whoso finds this (the penance of freeing a slave) beyond his means, he must fast for two consecutive months in order to seek repentance from Allâh. And Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise. Feeding the poor is not acceptable because Allah (Exalted be He) has not mentioned it as a Kaffarah for unintentional manslaughter; and never is your Lord forgetful.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.