Is a person who is insane held responsible for the sins he commits?
Dear Brother / Sister,
It is necessary for a person to be sane in order to be held responsible. Accordingly, children who have not reached the age of puberty and people who are not sane are not held responsible. They will not be punished in the grave or in Hell.
Those who are not sane are dealt with in two groups:
The first one: Those who are born insane or who become insane in childhood. They have no responsibility.
The second one: Those who become insane after the age of puberty. They are called to account for the sins they commit after the age of puberty and before becoming insane.
However, if a person becomes insane when he is a believer, it is hoped that his illness will be atonement for his previous sins. Being insane is a mental disease; Allah accepts diseases as an atonement for sins.
Questions on Islam
- Since the good and the bad deeds of man were created by Allah, how can a person be held responsible for the bad deed that he commits?
- Do mentally and physically disabled people have religious responsibilities?
- Will you give information about animals’ obtaining their sustenance and the wisdom behind the violence among animals? Will the oppression and cruelty among animals be left unpunished? Why do our Lord show consent to it?
- Why are the calamities that befall children not being prevented?
- If the God is goodness itself why does evil exist?
- Are disasters misfortunes or tests?
- What can we do in order to be protected from calamities and misfortunes?
- Is a person who does not see a doctor though he is ill regarded to have committed a sin?
- Will the suffering of a person who dies by burning or drowning be atonement for his sins?
- Is it necessary to kill an animal that has killed a human being?
