a partner in that property. Therefore you have neither a right of pre-emption (shufʿah) nor any grounds for objection so long as your father retains the mental competence that, under the Sharia, entitles him to dispose of his wealth. If, however, he lacks such competence—that is, if he is mentally incapable of managing his affairs—the matter must be referred to a judge. The judge will examine the case and has the authority to annul the contract should he find that the statutory conditions of a valid sale were not fulfilled.

Question: Does this mean that a son’s right to housing and shelter from his father ends as soon as he reaches puberty, or does it end when he marries?

Answer: A son’s entitlement to his father’s financial support ends once the son becomes self-sufficient. When he grows up, is able to earn a living, and can provide for himself, the father’s obligation to maintain him ceases. However, as long as the son is still a minor—or even an adult who has not yet achieved financial independence and cannot earn—his father remains obliged to spend on him by virtue of their kinship, until the son is able to stand on his own.

Question: With respect to the right of pre-emption in general, aside from this particular case, does the passage of a long period of time affect one’s entitlement to exercise it?

Answer: The lapse of time does have an effect if the pre-emptor knew about the sale, chose to ignore it, and neither exercised nor claimed his right; in that situation, the right of pre-emption is forfeited by the mere passage of time, provided he was aware of the sale and had no legitimate impediment to making the claim. Conversely, if the partner was unaware of the sale, his right of pre-emption remains intact, even if several years have elapsed.