Question: A drivers who was excessively speeding meets in accident. A person loses his life. Will the driver be held responsible?

Answer: If the driver violated traffic laws and was speeding, he will be considered responsible for the death of the person. This will be considered as Qatl Khata (An Unintentional Killing).The driver will be liable to pay Diyyat (blood money) and observe Kaffarah (fast for two months continuously).

The blood money is 100 camels or 10 000 Dirhams or 1000 Dinaars. 1 Dirham is equivalent to 3.06 grams of Silver, 1 Dinaar is equivalent to 4.374 grams of Gold. The amount may be paid in cash immediately or over a period of three years.

والدية في الخطأ أخماس منها (من بنت مخاض وبنت لبون وحقة إلي جذعة) ومن إبن مخاض أخماسا أو ألف دينار من الذهب أو عشرة آلاف درهم من الورق. الدر المختار مع رد المحتار (573\6).

And Allah Ta’ala Know Best

Yusuf Moosagie

5th September 2018