He was also asked:

A shepherd took charge of some sheep and entrusted them to his twelve-year-old boy. The boy took them out to graze, and two sheep went missing. Is the hired boy liable for compensation, or is the original shepherd?

He answered:

Liability rests with the person who entrusted them to the boy without their owners’ permission.

He was also asked:

Concerning orchards in Damascus taken under contract: when the victorious army defeated the enemy, arrived in Damascus, and encamped in the orchards, it let its animals graze on their crops and produce, which were consequently destroyed. Are those who took the orchards under contract entitled to a reduction in the amount due on account of this loss?

He answered:

Destruction caused by an army from which compensation cannot be recovered is treated as a natural calamity, like locusts. If crops are destroyed by a natural calamity before the other party has had the opportunity to harvest them, should the loss be deducted from the amount due, as it is for fruit that has been purchased? The scholars hold two views on this. The sounder of the two—and the more consistent with the Book, the Sunnah, and justice—is that the loss should be deducted.