the child in this world, saying:

“His parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.”

That is to say: You do not know what he was fashioned to be in his original innate disposition. In this world, however, the child’s status follows that of his parents, so determine it by theirs. A young child whose parents are both disbelievers is subject to the rulings applicable to disbelievers, while a young child whose parents are both Muslims is subject to the rulings applicable to Muslims. As for whether that child will ultimately become a believer or a disbeliever, knowledge of that rests with Allah. It was through this knowledge that al-Khidr surpassed Moses, for Allah disclosed to him the truth about that boy and singled him out for that knowledge.

He said: (Indeed, “Ibn ‘Abbās was asked about children—the children of Muslims and polytheists. Ibn ‘Abbās replied: ‘What Moses and al-Khidr disputed over is enough for you.’ Ishāq said: Do you not consider what ‘Ā’ishah said when a boy of the Ansār, whose parents were both Muslims, died