What is the ruling on employing young children in strenuous professions such as construction and mining?

The issue of child labor should be addressed by establishing শরعي (Islamic legal) controls that protect children from harm, such as ensuring the work is suitable for them and not damaging. Scholars, both ancient and contemporary, have differed on the ruling concerning child labor.

Ancient scholars held two views: The first is that the discerning child's work in trade and hire is valid, but their actions are suspended until approved by their guardian (this is the view of the Hanafis, Malikis, Hanbalis, and Zahiris). The second view is that their actions are absolutely invalid (this is the view of the Shafi'is).

As for contemporary scholars, they also differed: some permitted child labor, while others prohibited it. The permissibility of child labor has been favored as an exception, not the rule, because the fundamental principle is to dedicate this stage of life to discipline and education.

Among the controls for child labor are: showing mercy to them and not burdening them with what they cannot bear, based on the Almighty's saying: {لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا} [Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity], and on the Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, which encourage showing mercy to the young.