There Is No Sin Upon You
Question:
We had birds that we kept in a cage; daily, we would feed them, give them drink, and release them in the morning so they can cool themselves in the air. One day, however, we forgot to release them, and the sunheat affected them, resulting in their death. We regret having kept them in cages; please advise us ý do we have to make any atonement?
Answer:
If the situation is as you have described, there is no sin upon you, for Allaah Almighty says: Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error. [1] In an authentic Hadith, Allaahs Messenger related that Allaah Almighty responded to the invocation in this verse by saying, I have done so. [2] This was recorded by Muslim in his Sahih, and it shows that Allaah Almighty answers the supplication of his believing worshippers. And with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right.
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:286. [2] Meaning, I punish you not when you forget or fall into error.
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 281
