Q: On Wednesday, 16 Dhul-Qa‘dah, 1415 A.H., I had a traffic accident in Darb Bany Sha‘bah, in `Asir area with A. N. A., who later died. The traffic police decided that the accident was the fault of the deceased 100%. The case was filed with the judge of Darb Court and the court issued a ruling on the reasons and justifications that had been decided by the traffic officers. I asked the judge whether I should perform Sawm (Fasting) for two months, but he told me that I did not have to do that as I was not responsible for the accident. However, after the accident, my house was burgled on 22 Safar, 1416 A.H.; on 25 Rajab, 1416 A.H., I lost 7,500 Riyals; and I had an accident in another car on 29 Jumada II, 1416. All praise be to Allah for His Divine Decree and Predestination. Also, when my mother saw that I had no car and that I had to borrow or rent one, she asked me to take (Part No. 21; Page No. 402) some money from the money of hers that I have, which is some 19,000 Riyals. I gave her a receipt for it, although she vowed by Allah that she would not take it. Previously, she gave me 35,000 Riyals to help me construct a building, and sometimes she gets angry with me and tells me that I have taken her money and that I am in her debt. I hope that Your Eminence will advise me, as I think that all these problems are due to the accident. All praise be to Allah for everything as the believer is always being tested, but whenever something happens, my family think that it is due to the accident. I hope that Your Eminence will enlighten us in this respect.

A: First: If the situation is as you mentioned and that according to the police report, you were not responsible for the accident and that it was 100% the fault of the deceased, you do not have to perform a Kaffarah (expiation) nor pay Diyah (blood money). Second: As for the money that your mother gave to you, if it was as a gift, it is yours to keep. However, if she has any other children, it is obligatory on her to be fair in giving gifts and she should not favor you in any way over them. If it was given as a loan, you are obligated to repay it when you are able to. Third: The disasters that have befallen you are part of Allah’s Divine Decree for His Servants. It is obligatory on a Muslim to be patient and seek the reward from Allah. (Part No. 21; Page No. 403) You should ask Allah (Glorified be He) to grant you well-being in your Din (religion) and in this world. The accident has no relation to the other things that you mentioned.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.