the first presentation, he said, “He did not consider me to have reached puberty.”
- A girl has an additional, fourth sign that marks her attainment of puberty: menstruation. The evidence is the Prophet’s statement (peace and blessings be upon him), “Allah does not accept the prayer of a menstruating woman unless she wears a khimār (head-covering).” Al-Tirmidhī narrated it and judged it sound.
The second requirement for the lifting of interdiction is sound judgment (rushd), that is, competence in managing wealth. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “Test the orphans until they reach marriageable age; if then you perceive in them sound judgment, hand over to them their property” (Q 4:6).
Sound judgment is ascertained by examination: the youth is allowed a limited scope of disposal; if, after repeated transactions, he neither suffers a flagrant loss nor spends his wealth on the unlawful or on what is of no benefit, this indicates sound judgment.
The interdiction on an insane person is removed by two conditions:
- The disappearance of the insanity and the return of reason.
- His acquisition of sound judgment, as is required of a minor once he attains puberty.
For the prodigal, the interdiction is lifted when his prodigality ends and he demonstrates sound judgment in his financial dealings.
While interdiction remains in force, the property of each of the three—the child, the insane person, and the prodigal—is managed by his father, provided the father is upright and judicious, for his compassion is unsurpassed. If the father is absent, a guardian appointed by him assumes this role, for he is the father’s deputy, much like an agent during the father’s lifetime.