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:

I ran over a kitten when I was driving to work this morning. I was not speeding and had just finished reciting Aayatul Kursi-which I usually do when I start my car in the morning. When I heard a small sound and felt a bump, I stepped out of the car to see what it was.. I was shocked to see what had happened. I wonder if there is anything that can be done to repent though it was not purposeful. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Killed a cat by accident

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.

If one does not fear that the animal will harm or injure them or their property, or one does not intend to duly slaughter and eat the flesh of the animal…..then indeed the intentional and purposeless killing of any animal would indeed be a considered a sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

But if one has killed an animal unintentionally or by accident, there is no sin. Your sincere remorse and guilt at the taking of the animal’s life, even though it was an accident and absolutely unintentional, is evident of your sincere fear of Allah and the Last Day…. and the sincere remorse and guilt that you have experienced would more than suffice as your repentance and your atonement in the Sight of your Lord Most Merciful, Insha Allah.

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