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Is the father accountable for the death of his son in a car accident while they were traveling?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If the accident resulted from the negligence of the father who was driving, then the blood money (diyah) for his son becomes obligatory upon him, and it is borne by his 'aqilah (male relatives on the father's side), and distributed among his heirs, with the exception of the father. Expiation (kaffarah) also becomes obligatory, which is the freeing of a believing slave. If he cannot find one, then it is fasting for two consecutive months, based on the Almighty's saying: "It is not for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake – then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation (diyah) delivered to his family, unless they remit it as charity. But if he was from a people hostile to you and he was a believer, then the freeing of a believing slave. And if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty and he was a believer, then a compensation (diyah) delivered to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] – then a fast for two consecutive months as repentance to Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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