"O Messenger of Allah, my womb was a vessel for this son of mine, my breasts were a container for him, and my lap was a shelter for him. But his father has divorced me, and he wants to take him away from me." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "You are more entitled to him as long as you do not remarry." Narrated by Abu Dawood. It is also narrated that Abu Bakr al-Siddiq adjudicated the case of 'Asim in favor of his mother, Umm 'Asim, over 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, saying: "Her scent, her touch, and her kindness are better for him than you." Narrated by Sa'id in his Sunan. This is also because she is closer to him and more compassionate towards him, and no one shares this closeness with her except his father, but he does not possess her level of compassion. Moreover, he [the father] does not take care of the custody himself, but rather hands the child over to his [new] wife, and the mother is more entitled to him than the father's wife.

Section: If the mother is not eligible for custody due to the absence of the conditions we mentioned, or some of them, she is as if she were non-existent, and the right to custody transfers to the one next in entitlement. If both parents are ineligible for custody, it transfers to those who follow them, because they are both considered non-existent.

Section: Custody is not established except over a child or a mentally deficient person. As for the adult of sound judgment, there is no custody over him; the choice [of where to reside] lies with him, to stay with whichever of his parents he wishes. If he is a male, he has the right to live independently, as he is independent of them, though it is recommended that he not separate from them and not cut off his kindness towards them. If it is a young woman, she does not have the right to live independently, and her father may forbid her from doing so, for it is not safe that someone might enter upon her who would corrupt her and bring shame upon her and her family. If she has no father, her guardian and family may prevent her from doing so."