In summary, according to the school’s position: before the age of seven, custody of both the boy and the girl belongs to the mother. After seven, the boy is given a choice, while the girl is transferred to her father’s care. Once the boy reaches sound maturity, he may live wherever he wishes, while the girl remains with her father until her husband takes her into his care.

Before this, however, we must recognize that the most important consideration is safeguarding the interests of the child in custody. As for one who has the stronger right to custody but neglects and fails the child, his or her right to custody is forfeited. This is because one of the conditions for a custodian is that he or she be capable of fulfilling the duties of custody and actually carry them out. If this is not the case, then he or she has no right to custody.

The thirteenth volume ends—by the grace and enabling of Allah, Most High—and it is followed by the fourteenth volume—by the will of Allah, Most High—the first section of which is the Book of Criminal Offences. All praise is due to Allah, by whose blessing righteous deeds are brought to completion.