ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Code of Practice For Muslims in the West Miscellaneous Introduction The respected reader will find in this chapter some laws, questions and answers related to a variety of important issues that could not easily be classified under one or the other of the previous chapters, hence the "Miscellaneous" title. General Rules 575 .

It is recommended to give children names that reflect servitude towards Almighty Allah [for example, ‘Abdullah; ‘Abdur Rahman; ‘Abdur Rahim] just as it is recommended to name them by the name of the (s.a.w.), and the other Prophets and Messengers (a.s.). It is recommended to name the children as ‘Ali, Hasan, Husayn, Ja‘far, Talib, Hamza, and Fatima. It is disliked to give them names of the enemies of Islam and Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). 576 .

The custody , upbringing, and care of the child whether male or female for the first two hijri [lunar] years is the right of both parents equally. Therefore, it is not permissible for the father to separate the child from its mother during these two years. When these two years come to an end, the right of custody is the father’s alone. However, based on precaution, it is recommended that the father should not separate the child from its mother until he or she reaches the age of seven. 577 .

If the parents separate because of divorce before the child —whether male or female— reaches the age of two (by hijri account), the mother does not lose the right of custody of the child as long as she does not marry another man. Therefore, it is necessary for both parents to agree on exercising their common right in custody by alternating [the right] or by any other method on which both agree. 578 .

If the mother marries after separating from the father, she forfeits her right of custody, and the custody will be the exclusive right of the father. 579 . The term of custody ends when the child reaches the age of mental maturity. When the child reaches mental maturity, no one has the right of custody over him or her, not even the parents let alone others. The child, then becomes independent in his affairs; and so he can choose to join either of the two parents or anyone besides them.

However, if his separation from both of them causes distress to them out of their concern for him or her, it is not permissible for the child to disobey them in that matter. If the father and the mother differ [in the case of distress], the priority is given to the mother. 580 .