Al-Waadih Fee Usool ul-Fiqh by Muhammad Hussein Abdullah

1 - The Foetal stage: An incomplete Ahliyah is established for the foetus within the womb of the mother and so rights are established for it that do not require an acceptance (Qabool) for it to be affirmed. This includes the Meeraath (inheritance) and Wasiyah (will). As for the Huqooq (rights) requiring Qabool (an acceptance) like the receiving of gifts, then this is not established for the foetus. The Ahliyah of Adaa’ performance is also not established or affirmed for the foetus.

2 – The stage of childhood (As-Sabiy):

This is from the birth until the age of Tamyeez (discernment) which is seven years of age.

The Wujoob Kaamilah (complete obligation) is affirmed from the child (Sabiy) and so it is valid for him to attain rights and to carry obligations that are permitted for the Waliy (guardian) to perform on his behalf. This includes the Zakaah, Sadaqat ul-Fitr and the guarantee in respect to what is damaged from the properties of others.

2 – The stage of childhood (As-Sabiy):

This is from the birth until the age of Tamyeez (discernment) which is seven years of age.

The Wujoob Kaamilah (complete obligation) is affirmed from the child (Sabiy) and so it is valid for him to attain rights and to carry obligations that are permitted for the Waliy (guardian) to perform on his behalf. This includes the Zakaah, Sadaqat ul-Fitr and the guarantee in respect to what is damaged from the properties of others.

As for the Ahliyah of Al-Adaa; (performance) then this does not exist in his right due to his inability and the shortcoming in respect to his ‘Aql in relation to understanding the Khitaab (address).

3 – The stage of Tamyeez (discernment):

This begins at the age of seven and ends at the age of coming to maturity (puberty).

In this stage the Ahliyah of Al-Wujoob (obligation) is established for him as it was affirmed in the previous stage.

As for the Ahliyah of performance (Al-Adaa’) then it is established for him in an incomplete (Naaqisah) manner due to his deficiency in respect to fulfilling the conditions of At-Takleef (legal responsibility). Consequently, he is not requested to undertake anything except in a way of teaching, instruction and behavioural refinement. This is like commanding the child to perform the Salaah and getting him used to the fasting. Some of his conducts can be accepted like his acceptance of gifts (Al-Hadiyah and Al-Hibbah) and Sadaqah. In other than this it rests upon the permission of the Waliy (guardian). If the Wali permits it then it is valid whilst it is invalid without him allowing it. All of this is whilst he is not taken to task and held to account for his actions which is due to the Qawl of the Messenger of Allah (saw) in the Hadeeth mentioned in the subject area of the conditions of At-Takleef:

4 – The stage of Buloogh (maturity) and ‘Aaqil (of sound mind):

In this stage the Ahliyah Al-Wujoob Al-Kaamilah and the Ahliyah Al-Adaa’ Al-Kaamilah (complete competency of obligation and complete competence of performance) is established and affirmed in respect to him. Consequently, if he was to commit Zinaa he would have the Hadd (set punishment) applied upon him and if he stole, his hand would be severed. Similarly, the ‘Uqood (contracts) and Shar’iyah transactions would be valid from him and their effects would result from them.

The point of Buloogh (reaching of the age of maturity) would occur through the appearance of one of the signs of maturity. That is like the Ihtilaam (emission of Maniy/seminal discharge), menstruation or the appearance of pubic hair. The majority of the Fuqahaa; have considered this age to be fifteen years of age. In respect to this, differences in the environment and the specific individual configuration or makeup of the person will have an impact upon it.