The Ruling on Taking Blood Money for Unintentional Killing

Question:
My grandmother passed away in a car accident, and we do not know the owner of that car; we had never seen him before this incident. My uncle demanded the blood money. After my grandmother’s death, the man paid that amount. The accident was a matter of divine decree and was not intentional. My father passed away two years before my grandmother, so I did not take anything from this blood money. My question is: Is this money lawful? Is demanding the blood money permissible? Please note that I have brothers, all of whom are minors. Please inform us. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Taking blood money for unintentional killing, as Allah the Exalted has permitted, for Allah the Exalted said: “And whoever kills a believer by mistake…” . The blood money is the responsibility of the killer’s kin (‘aqilah) and belongs to the heirs of the victim. As for you and your brothers, you have no share in the blood money because your father passed away before your grandmother, so you are blocked from inheritance by your uncle. Yes. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you well.