A man leaving the car keys inside it until his mother comes out but his son driving and running over his grandmother

Q: My mother was elderly and feeling unwell. I left the keys in the car, and told my wife to get her into the car so that I could take her to hospital. It was Allah's will that my wife took nearly five minutes to get her to the car, and by then my young son had got into the car, started the engine, and stepped on the accelerator. This resulted in the accidental death of my mother. Please advise, may Allah reward you. What should we do? I also had a daughter who was fourteen months old. Her mother was at home when the girl went out to play. There was a water container in which the girl fell and drowned. Does her mother have to pay Kaffarah (expiation) or not?

A: First, you have to pay Kaffarah, as it is your fault for leaving the key inside the car, which resulted in your young son driving it and killing (Part No. 21; Page No. 420) your mother. The Kaffarah is emancipating a believing bondsman. If you cannot do this, you must observe Sawm (fasting) for two consecutive months. Second, concerning your little daughter who drowned in the water container and died, her mother does not have to pay Kaffarah, since the original ruling is innocence, and she has not done anything that makes her guilty.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.