the child’s preference as to whether she should be with her mother or her father; being male or female does not affect the ruling.

Others say that she is to be given a choice between her father and her mother until the age of nine; thereafter, her father takes custody of her.

Others say that she remains with her mother until her husband takes her into his care.

Others say that she remains with her mother until she reaches fifteen years of age.

The view I consider more correct is that she remains with her mother until her husband takes her into his care, because the mother is far more compassionate than anyone else, even the father. The father goes out to attend to his affairs and earn a livelihood, while the girl remains in the home. We find no one more compassionate or tender than the mother; even her paternal grandmother is not like her mother. This is unless harm is feared for her if she remains with her mother—for example, if her mother neglects her, or if the country is unsafe and it is feared that someone may assault her and her mother. In that case, she must be placed in her father’s care. Even then, however, her father must fulfill the duties incumbent upon him.

His statement, “After reaching maturity, the male may be wherever he wishes”: from the age of seven until maturity, the boy remains with whomever he chooses. Once he reaches maturity, he is independent, and no one—not his father or anyone else—has authority over him. Nevertheless, if there is fear that he may be led into corruption, then his care must be entrusted to his father. The one who entrusts it to the father is the Islamic judge. The basic rule, however, is that the father may not compel him to remain with him if he is an adult of sound judgment.

His statement, “The female remains with her father until her husband takes her into his care”: according to the school’s position, this applies from the completion of seven years.