Is a mother responsible for the death of her 40-day-old child, whom she found dead with fluid coming out of his nose after she left him sleeping and went to her other daughter, knowing at the time her lack of experience in childcare?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If a mother causes the death of her child, even by negligence in their care, her aqilah (male relatives on her father's side responsible for paying blood money) is obligated to pay the blood money (diyyah), and the mother is obligated to offer expiation (). Her young age does not exempt her from this, as she is a legally responsible adult, unless she cannot find a slave to free and is unable to fast for two consecutive months.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/94742
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 94742
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy