Dear respected Shaykh, assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Allah decreed my car’s involvement in an accident as a result of my dozing whilst I was driving on one highway. This caused the car to overturn and the death of my mother who was with me. Some pious people –may Allah reward them- advised me that this is considered to be unintentional killing, and I must expiate for it. نعست فانقلبت السيارة وتوفيت والدتي فماذا علي؟

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions. Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As to what follows: In response to your question, we say:   It is imperative for you to expiate because what you were involved in is unintentional killing. The expiation is freeing a believing slave, and if you cannot find one or afford the price of freeing one you should fast for two consecutive months.