Her sick daughter was given kerosene and died
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Fatwa number ( 21187 )
Q: A woman gave birth to a daughter thirty years ago. This woman says that her daughter fell ill with a sickness they call "the third," which is one of the types of fever. The illness lasted so long that the woman despaired of her daughter’s recovery. One day, a woman from the neighborhood, who was the mother of the sick girl, came to her and said: "Give the sick girl a dose of kerosene; it is beneficial for the 'third' illness." The mother of the girl took a cup of kerosene and gave it to the girl through her throat. It was only moments later that the girl died after being given the kerosene. She says that at the time, she did not think that kerosene was harmful or that it was the cause of her death. She stated: "I did not know the harm of kerosene to the body, except that I have seen in these times some children drink kerosene by mistake, and it harms them and leads some of them to death." So, a doubt arose in her mind regarding her daughter, whom she had previously given kerosene to while she was sick, and who then died. She is asking about her situation and the situation of the aforementioned daughter, and whether she is liable for sin or expiation, or what is required of her? Knowing that this incident occurred thirty years ago according to her statement, and she is now an old woman, I therefore ask you, may Allah bless you, to refer this question to those who are qualified to issue a fatwa regarding what has been mentioned. May Allah preserve you, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
A: If the facts are as stated, then the mother of this girl owes an expiation
for accidental killing, because she caused the death of her daughter; for kerosene is a harmful, burning substance and not a medicine to be used for treatment as was told to her. So, she must repent and seek forgiveness from Allah for that act and not return to it in the future. The expiation for accidental killing is freeing a believing slave. If she does not find one or is unable to do so, then she must fast two consecutive months, sixty days. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: A woman gave birth to a daughter thirty years ago. This woman says that her daughter fell ill with a sickness they call "the third," which is one of the types of fever. The illness lasted so long that the woman despaired of her daughter’s recovery. One day, a woman from the neighborhood, who was the mother of the sick girl, came to her and said: "Give the sick girl a dose of kerosene; it is beneficial for the 'third' illness." The mother of the girl took a cup of kerosene and gave it to the girl through her throat. It was only moments later that the girl died after being given the kerosene. She says that at the time, she did not think that kerosene was harmful or that it was the cause of her death. She stated: "I did not know the harm of kerosene to the body, except that I have seen in these times some children drink kerosene by mistake, and it harms them and leads some of them to death." So, a doubt arose in her mind regarding her daughter, whom she had previously given kerosene to while she was sick, and who then died. She is asking about her situation and the situation of the aforementioned daughter, and whether she is liable for sin or expiation, or what is required of her? Knowing that this incident occurred thirty years ago according to her statement, and she is now an old woman, I therefore ask you, may Allah bless you, to refer this question to those who are qualified to issue a fatwa regarding what has been mentioned. May Allah preserve you, and peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
A: If the facts are as stated, then the mother of this girl owes an expiation
for accidental killing, because she caused the death of her daughter; for kerosene is a harmful, burning substance and not a medicine to be used for treatment as was told to her. So, she must repent and seek forgiveness from Allah for that act and not return to it in the future. The expiation for accidental killing is freeing a believing slave. If she does not find one or is unable to do so, then she must fast two consecutive months, sixty days. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.