Causing miscarriage by mistake

Q: In the sixth month of my pregnancy I was in a bad mood and wanted to eat ripe dates. The dates were in a deep basin. I had to bend my body over to reach the dates. I pressed my belly against the side of the basin to get some dates. Then, I felt pain for a month and gave birth to a stillborn baby. I did not mean any harm to my baby. This incident took place more than twenty years ago and the father of the baby is dead now. Am I sinful? Please advise!

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned, you have to pay Kaffarah (expiation); namely, setting free a Muslim slave. If you can not afford this, (Part No. 21; Page No. 313) you have to fast for two consecutive months (sixty days) as you caused the death of your fetus.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.