Liaison office of Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Al Sistani (L.M.H.L) in London, Europe, North and South America.
2260. A child who has not reached the age of puberty, (bulugh), has no
right of discretion over the property he holds or owns, even if he is able to
discern and is mature, and the permission of his/her guardian does not apply in
this case.
However, in those cases where a Na-baligh is allowed to make a
transaction, like when buying or selling things of small worth as mentioned in
rule 2090, or his testament for his relatives and kinsmen, as will be explained
in rule 2706, the right can be exercised. A girl becomes baligha upon completion
of her nine lunar years, and a boy is baligh when stiff pubic hair grow, or when
he discharges semen, or upon completion of fifteen lunar years.
2261. Growing of stiff hair on the face and above the lips may be
considered as signs of bulugh, but their growth on chest and under the armpits,
and the voice becoming harsh etc. are not the signs of one's reaching the age of
puberty, except that one may become sure of having reached the age of puberty
due to these changes.
2262. An insane person has no right of disposal over his property.
Similarly, a bankrupt (i.e. a person who has been prohibited by the Mujtahid to
dispose of or have discretion on his property because of the demands of his
creditors) cannot dispose his property without the permission of the creditors.
And a feeble-minded person (Safih) who squanders his property for useless
purposes, has no right of disposal or discretion over his property.
2263. If a person is sane at one time and insane at another, the right
of discretion exercised by him during his lunacy will not be considered valid.
2264. A dying man in his terminal illness can spend his own wealth on
himself, on the members of his family, his guests and on other things as much as
he likes, provided that, it is not considered to be extravagance on his part.
Also, he can sell his property at its proper value, or hire it.
But if he
gives away his property as gift, or sells it at a lower price than usual, it
will be valid if the property gifted or sold cheap is equal to or less than 1/3
of his estate. And if it is more, it will be valid only if the heirs allow, and
if they do not, then whatever he spent in excess of 1/3 of his estate will be
considered void.