What is the ruling regarding a bullet accidentally discharging from a man's pistol while he was cleaning it, killing his wife, and is blood money (Diyah) obligatory for the wife's family or for her young children?

This killing is considered an accidental killing, and there is no sin in it, based on the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Indeed, Allah has forgiven my Ummah for their mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do."

This killing necessitates two things: a mitigated blood money (diyya) payable by the 'Aqilah (male relatives on the father's side), and expiation (kaffarah), which is freeing a believing slave. If one cannot find a slave, then fasting for two consecutive months. The blood money is for all the wife's heirs except the husband, and the accidental killer does not inherit from the blood money. The preferred view is that he inherits from the wealth (of the deceased) but not from the blood money necessitated by the killing.