Musnad Ahmad

Yazid bin Hurmaz says: Once Najdah bin Amir wrote a letter to Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) and asked: Who are the close relatives who have a share? When does the term "orphan" cease to apply to an orphan? If a woman and a slave are present at the time of distribution of spoils, what is the ruling? And what is the ruling on killing the children of the polytheists? Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) replied: By Allah! If I did not have to save him from the evil in which he could be involved, I would never have pleased him by replying. He wrote in response: You asked me about the share of those close relatives whom Allah has mentioned—who are they? In our opinion, they are the close relatives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), but our people refused to accept this. You asked about the orphan—when does the term "orphan" cease to apply to him? Remember! When he reaches puberty and his understanding becomes apparent, then his wealth should be given to him, for now his orphanhood has ended. You also asked whether the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ever killed any child of the polytheists? Remember! The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not kill any of their children, and you should not kill anyone either. However, if you come to know about a child in the same way as Khidr (peace be upon him) came to know about the child whom he killed, then that is a different matter (and this is not possible for you). You also asked if a woman and a slave participate in battle, is their share in the spoils of war fixed? Their share is not fixed, but they should be given something from the spoils of war.