My nephew, who is eighteen years old, had a car accident. The accident was the fault of a drunken stranger. The police investigated the site of the accident and decided that the stranger was at fault and fined him and obliged him to repair the car of my nephew (the car was completely damaged and could not be repaired; however, my nephew was saved by the Help of Allaah, thanks to Him). The stranger said that he did not have money to pay my nephew. Therefore, the police confiscated his car, sold it and gave its price to my nephew. Now, what is the ruling on accepting the compensation, especially as the man is a stranger and does not have money to pay? Is it permissible to forgive him, and what is the reward?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

As long as the accident was the fault of the drunken man, then the official authority in your country followed the proper procedures as to holding him fully responsible for his fault and compensating the wronged party. If you wish, you can give up your right and forgive the mistaken person. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

Abu Hurayrah quoted the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as saying: “Wealth never decreases because of charity. No person pardons but Allaah will honor him, and no one is humble for the sake of Allaah but Allaah will raise him in status.” [Muslim]

Allaah Knows best.