Q: I had a car accident a long time ago; I crashed into a car that was already turned upside down by another accident on a curved road. Three people died, but I have no idea whether it is because of me or the first accident that occurred moments earlier. I reconciled with their families. However, I had serious injuries and bruises; iron fixtures have been fixed to my leg for nine years; I cannot do any job to sustain myself and my family; and my medical and financial conditions are very difficult. Praise be to Allah for His Wisdom. I would like to inquire about the Kaffarah (expiation). If I have to observe Sawm (fasting), my difficult medical and financial conditions do not enable me to do so; I have five children who need someone to provide for them; and I still have fixtures in my leg. Allah (Exalted be He) knows that I can hardly provide for my family their daily sustenance. I have no idea what to do. Please advise. May Allah reward you. (Part No. 21; Page No. 272

A: You should pay kaffarah for each one of the three people who died, whether you were the main cause of their death, or you were just a partner to it, as Kaffarah cannot be distributed. The Kaffarah is emancipating a believing slave. If you cannot do that, you have to observe Sawm for two consecutive months for every person, according to Allah's saying, It is not for a believer to kill a believer except (that it be) by mistake; 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. Until 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. If you cannot pay the Kaffarah, it remains a debt on you to repay whenever you are able to.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.