He also reported that he had asked Muhammad ibn al-Hasan about the interpretation of this hadith, and he replied:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said this before people were commanded to undertake jihad.”

This is what Abū ‘Ubayd related.

Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said:

“As for what he related from Ibn al-Mubārak, something similar has been reported from Mālik. It offers neither a convincing interpretation nor a comprehensive explanation concerning children. Rather, it is a general statement that leads one to refrain from passing definitive judgment on them as unbelievers or believers, or as destined for Paradise or Hell, while they are still too young to act for themselves.”

He said:

“As for what he related from Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, I think Muhammad ibn al-Hasan avoided answering the question, either because he found it difficult, because he did not know, or for whatever reason Allah willed.

“As for his statement that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said this before people were commanded to undertake jihad, I do not know what to make of it. If he meant that this