Q 1: Allah willed that I had a car accident. While driving a car, a person crossing the road unexpectedly turned up in front of me. Being hit by the car, the man met his death. I became bewildered as I could not fulfill the Kaffarah (expiation) of involuntary manslaughter since I am an old man, about eighty years old. Moreover I suffer from asthma, and due to my health conditions I cannot fast for two successive months. Is it then sufficient for me to pay Sadaqah or feed poor people instead? Please give me advise, may Allah benefit us with your knowledge.

A: If the case is as you have mentioned, i.e. you killed a person through hitting him by mistake, you should give Diyah (blood money) to the inheritors of the deceased unless they give up their right to it. (Part No. 21; Page No. 293) You should also offer Kaffarah, i.e. emancipating a believing slave. Whoever cannot afford this must fast for two consecutive months. 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. ... 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. If you are unable to fast until you die, you will be exempted from fasting. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. And: ...and He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship May Allah grant us success, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet and his family and Companions.