Accountability in Islam

The conditions of accountability for commands and prohibitions from Allah are that one is an adult and is of sound mind, but what is meant by of sound mind? The Quran states that "Allah burdens not an individual more than his capability" (Quran 2.286). In reference to this Shafi (1995) explains that an individual's actions can be divided into two categories, those which are voluntary and those which are involuntary. Each person will be held accountable for their voluntary actions, but will be excused for their involuntary actions. In this day and age we have learnt that mental illness is largely a pathological, genetic and organic illness.

If a person's reasoning and awareness of themself and their actions is impaired such that he or she cannot be reasonably expected to distinguish right from wrong or to understand the consequences of their actions then they are excused from accountability and it is not recorded as a bad deed if he or she fails to pray, performs something forbidden and so forth (al-Mawsoo‘ah al- Fiqhiyyah (16/99) as cited in Munajjid 2014b). As the Prophet instructed, “The Pen has been lifted from three: from the sleeper until he awakens, from the child until he reaches puberty and from the insane person until he comes to his senses -- or until he comes round.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (4403), al-Nasaa’i (3432) and Ibn Maajah (2041) (cited in Munajjid 2014b). Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood (Munajjid 2014b).

If this departure from sound reasoning is periodical than a person is accountable for their actions during periods when they have sound reasoning and they must perform prayers, avoid those things forbidden and so forth (al-Munajjid 2014a).

References

al-Munajjid, M 2014a, He is mentally ill and does not pray or fast; what is the ruling?, Islam Question & Answer, viewed 21 May 2014, <http://islamqa.info/en/193006>

al-Munajjid, M 2014b, She became mentally ill then she killed herself; is she regarded as having committed suicide?, Islam Question & Answer, viewed 21 May 2014, <http://islamqa.info/en/146375>

Shafi, M 1995, Maariful Quran, Darul-Uloom, Karachi.

Back to Information Resources