I accidentally ran over a cat with my car some time ago; is expiation obligatory for this act?
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The questioner : I accidentally ran over a cat with my car some time ago. Is expiation obligatory for this act? Please guide us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : There is nothing upon you for running over a cat; no expiation and no sin. I do not think anyone runs over a cat or any of these gentle animals that pose no harm or danger. I do not think anyone does that intentionally. If it happens by mistake, there is nothing wrong with it. However, if you run over someone else’s livestock, you are liable to compensate for it, such as running over a sheep or a goat or something similar belonging to another person. In that case, you must compensate him for it. There is no expiation involved unless he places it in a location where placing it there is considered overstepping, and you are unaware of it except in a situation where you cannot control your car. In that case, you are not liable to compensate, because he is the one who exposed his livestock to danger. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. He has a final question, O honorable Shaykh. The listener, Adnan, says:
The Shaykh : There is nothing upon you for running over a cat; no expiation and no sin. I do not think anyone runs over a cat or any of these gentle animals that pose no harm or danger. I do not think anyone does that intentionally. If it happens by mistake, there is nothing wrong with it. However, if you run over someone else’s livestock, you are liable to compensate for it, such as running over a sheep or a goat or something similar belonging to another person. In that case, you must compensate him for it. There is no expiation involved unless he places it in a location where placing it there is considered overstepping, and you are unaware of it except in a situation where you cannot control your car. In that case, you are not liable to compensate, because he is the one who exposed his livestock to danger. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. He has a final question, O honorable Shaykh. The listener, Adnan, says: