What must I do after committing a medical error that resulted in the patient’s death? Should I inform their family? Am I liable for the blood money (diyah), and how can I pay it without their family knowing?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If you caused the death of a patient out of ignorance, you must repent to Allah, and you must pay the blood money (diyyah) for the deceased, which you and your 'aqilah (male relatives on your father's side) should pay to his family. This is based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever practices medicine without having been known to practice it before is liable." The blood money can be delivered to the deceased's family through a stratagem if you fear harm.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/66020
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 66020
- 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