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What is the ruling on unintentionally killing a non-Muslim in a car accident, and what is the expiation for it?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Killing a non-believer by mistake, whether in Muslim lands or lands of disbelief, necessitates blood money (Diyya) and expiation (Kaffara) according to the majority of jurists, in contrast to the Malikis who consider it commendable but not obligatory. This applies if the non-believer's life is inviolable, such as a dhimmi (protected non-Muslim resident), a mu'ahid (one with whom a treaty exists), or a musta'min (one granted safe conduct), due to His (Allah's) saying: "And if he was from a people between whom and you there was a covenant, then [there must be] blood money given to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [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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