Q. I give my child spending every day to buy from the school tuckshop. Is it correct for my child to transact with an adult at the tuckshop? I heard that only transactions of adults are valid in Islam. Please advise.
A. In principle, maturity (Buloogh) is not a pre-condition for a transaction of sale to be valid. However, the necessary understanding (Aql) of a transaction is a pre-condition for a sale to be valid.
As such, if a child understands the basics of a transaction, the transaction of a child will be valid provided that the child has the permission and sanction of their guardian (Wali-father etc.) to do so.
Accordingly, the same ruling applies to a child transacting at a school tuckshop. (Shaami 4/504/505-Hindiyyah 3/2-Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 24/42)
Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa