What is the difference between a ghulām, a ṭifl, a ṣabī, and a walad?
In the Arabic language, "ghulām" refers to a child from birth until old age; it is also said to refer to one whose mustache has begun to grow. As for "ṭifl" (child), it denotes the young of anything. A "ṣabī" (boy) is called a "ṭifl" from birth until puberty. A "ṣabī" is a child from birth until weaning. These terms are used Islamically for one who has not reached the age of puberty, as stated in the of Anas from Ibn Abi Talhah: "How is the ghulām?" And in the Almighty's saying: {And when your children among you reach puberty} [An-Nur: 59], and His saying: {How can we speak to one who is in the cradle as a ṣabī?} [Maryam: 29], and His saying: {And upon the father is their provision and their clothing} [Al-Baqarah: 233].
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