Fatwa ID: 07021

 

Answered by: Maulana Ousman Haye

 

Question:

 

Committing a sin by mistake or forgetfully. In this case is one forgiven without it being obligatory to perform Tawbah/istighfar?

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

Allah (swt) has blessed this ummah with many virtues and leniencies. From among them is that Allah (swt) drops off the sin and accountability of one committing a sin forgetfully or mistakenly.

 

It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (May peace and blessings be upon him) said,

 

“ Indeed Allah (swt) has uplifted from my nation mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they were forced to do.” (Ibn Majah:2045)

 

 

Also the Quran states how anything done mistakenly or forgetfully will be overlooked.

 

Allah (swt) says in the Quran, (The believers pray) “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake.” (2:286)

 

Also Allah (swt) says, “There is no blame on you for what you do by mistake, but (only) for what you do intentionally. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (33:5)

 

Therefore, we see from the aforementioned Hadiths and verses of the Quran that one will not be held accountable nor sinful for committing a sin forgetfully or mistakenly. Thus, repentance will not be mandatory. However, a believer should always have his tongue moist with istighfaar and other remembrance of Allah (swt).

 

It is important to note that what was mentioned is only with regards to the sin being dropped off. However, the rulings of shariah will still apply to such a person who does something mistakenly or forgetfully.

 

For example if someone kills someone mistakenly then the sin will drop off, but he will still be liable to pay blood money.

 

Allah (swt) says in the Quran, “It is not lawful for a believer to kill another except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer unintentionally must free a believing slave and pay blood money to the victim’s family unless they waive it charitably. (4:92)

 

Similarly, if one forgets to make wudu and prays salah, he will not be sinful for his forgetfulness, but he must repeat his salah. Also if one forgetfully or mistakenly missed a salah, he must make up that salah.

 

This is evident from the Hadith wherein the Messenger of Allah (May peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Whoever forgets a prayer, let him pray it when he remembers it, there is no expiation for it other than that. (Bukhari:597)

 

 

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Maulana Ousman Haye

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

 

 

إنَّ اللهَ تعالى وضع عن أُمَّتي الخطأَ ، و النسيانَ ، و ما اسْتُكرِهوا عليه
(ابن ماجه:2045)

 

 

رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا
(البقرة:286)

 

 

وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
(الأحزاب:5)

 

 

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَن يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلَّا خَطَـًٔا وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَـًٔا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن يَصَّدَّقُوا۟
(النساء:92)

 

مَن نَسِيَ صلاةً فلْيُصَلِّها إذا ذَكَرَها،