Are the spouses sinful for not having consulted a hospital after the wife experienced symptoms of diabetes, which led to the death of the fetus?
If refraining from going to the hospital was due to a belief that the condition was imaginary or usual fatigue for pregnant women, then there is no sin and no liability, due to the uncertainty of negligence. The default is blamelessness until negligence is proven or becomes highly probable. Ibn Hazm holds that there is no expiation and no blood money if the cause of death is doubted, because properties are inviolable except with certainty. The fatwa of the Permanent Committee affirms that there is no sin on the mother if the fetus dies because she did not undergo surgery, as this is not considered negligence or a cause of death.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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