Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

It is been enshrined in Chapter 4:92 of the Holy qur`an that who so ever killed a beleiver should free a slave and pay a compensation to the deceased family, unless if they remit it freely, and for those who find this beyond their means they should fast for two consecutive months. My queston is that in this modern world we dont have slave, which means only two alternatives remain, thus (compensation and fast); and the verse says if you dont have means u should fast, what if I have the means of paying the due but the deceased family forgive me, is it compulsory for me to fast? 

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Answer:

Atonement for unintentional killing murder

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa Verse 92:

92 Never should a believer kill a believer; but (if it so happens) by mistake (compensation is due): if one (so) kills a believer it is ordained that he should free a believing slave and pay compensation to the deceased's family unless they remit it freely. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (is enough). If he belonged to a people with whom ye have a treaty of mutual alliance compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. For those who find this (the freeing of a slave) beyond their means (is prescribed) a fast for two months running: by way of repentance to Allah: for Allah is All-Knowing All-Wise.

If one kills a believer unintentionally or by accident, it is prescribed in Shariah Law that ‘blood money’ or compensation is due to the heirs of the deceased, unless if the heirs of the deceased, of their own free will and choice, wish to forgive all or a part of it.

Furthermore, by way of repentance and atonement unto their Lord, the Lord Most High has Commanded and Guided that the one who killed the person accidentally should also free a slave…..and if the freeing of the slave is beyond their means, they are to fast for two consecutive months.

Respected brother, the option is not between compensation and fasting; for under normal conditions, compensation or ‘blood money’ has to be paid to the heirs of the deceased.

The option is thus only between freeing a slave and fasting for two consecutive months as an atonement unto their Lord. If the freeing of a slave is beyond one’s means or (as in the times we live in) slaves are unavailable, one is to fast for two consecutive months as an act of repentance unto their Lord.

Your Question: ….what if I have the means of paying the due but the deceased family forgive me, is it compulsory for me to fast? 

If one has the means to pay the ‘blood-money’, but the heirs of the deceased, of their own free will and choice, choose to forgive the one who killed their loved one…..then obviously ‘blood-money’ would not be extracted from the killer.

But the one who killed must still free a slave as an atonement unto his Lord for his act of unintentional killing….and if the freeing of a slave is beyond his means or unavailable, he is to fast for two consecutive months as repentance.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan