What is the ruling regarding my 9-year-old son's intermingling with women? Should he be treated like young boys, or must he be veiled from women? Do I and he incur sin if he enters upon them unawares? And is it obligatory to warn female guests about him, especially those who are close [to us]?

The sayings of the people of knowledge have clarified that Ash-Shafi'i divided children into three categories: The first is one who is too young to recount what he sees, so it is permissible to uncover in front of him. The second is one who is old enough to recount, but without arousal of desire, so he is like a mahram. The third is one who is old enough, with arousal of desire, so he is like an adult.

Al-Nawawi pointed out that there is no religious obligation upon a child, but if he is treated like an adult, then it is necessary for women to observe hijab from him. Similarly, Al-Mahalli mentions that the guardian must prevent a discerning child who exposes private parts from looking at non-mahram women, and it is obligatory for her to observe hijab from him.

As for Ibn Muflih, he mentioned that a discerning child who is not subject to desire may look at what is above the navel and below the knee. If he is subject to desire, then he is like a mahram or like a non-mahram.

Therefore, it is advised that women observe hijab from this boy and that they be alerted about him, especially with female cousins (from paternal and maternal aunts), because if he enters upon women, the sin falls upon whoever allowed him to enter while believing that it is not permissible, and not upon the child.