spent two thousand riyals during this period, then his statement is accepted with his oath. Likewise, if he says, “I spent it,” and the person formerly under restriction says, “You did not spend anything at all,” then the guardian’s statement is accepted. The reason is that he is entrusted, and the statement of one entrusted is accepted concerning what he spent in the matter entrusted to him.
Second and third: “necessity and a favorable opportunity.” These apply when the guardian sells his real estate. If the person under restriction owns real estate, such as orchards or houses, it may not be sold except out of necessity or because of a favorable opportunity.
Necessity means that the person under restriction has no money whatsoever and needs food and drink, so, for example, his orchard is sold.
A favorable opportunity is when a large sum, exceeding its usual value, is offered for it. Someone may come and say, “I want to buy this orchard or this house for one hundred thousand,” whereas its market value is only fifty thousand. This is a favorable opportunity.
If someone asks, “How could such an unusually large sum be offered for it?” we say: it may be that someone has a neighbor who needs this house—or this orchard, for example—and, due to his need for it, offers a great deal of money for it. In such a case, the guardian’s statement is accepted.
If the person under restriction says, “Why are you selling my real estate?” and the guardian replies, “I sold it because it was necessary for maintenance,” and he says, “I have no such necessity at all,” then the guardian’s statement is accepted with his oath.
Regarding a favorable opportunity, if he says to him, “Why are you selling my real estate?” and the guardian replies, “Because I was offered a very advantageous price for it,” and he says, “Not at all; at that time, my real estate was worth among people what you sold it for,” then the guardian’s statement is accepted, because he is entrusted.
Fourth: “loss.” If the guardian claims that the orphan’s property was lost, and he says—