Killing the baby by mistake while breastfeeding it

Q: I am a seventy-five year old woman. I live in this country in which I got married when I was twenty-five years old. I gave birth to a female baby. While I was breastfeeding my baby I accidentally slept while leaning over her. When I woke up, I found her dead. I am sure I caused her death unintentionally and I told her father (Part No. 21; Page No. 416) who went to ask a religious scholar at that time, 45 years ago. He asked him about what should be done in this case and the scholar told him that I must feed sixty poor people. I did that, but still feel that this is not enough. I ask Allah, then Your Eminence to tell me whether what I did was enough or if there are certain matters that I should observe. Kindly give us the legal Fatwa in this regard. May Allah reward you.


A: If the case was as you mentioned, you should offer a Kaffarah (expiation) for unintentional manslaughter. This Kaffarah is to free a believing slave, and if you are unable to do that, you must fast for two consecutive months. Offering a feeding Kaffarah is not sufficient.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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