Ata says that Najdah Haruri asked Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) in a letter about killing children, and inquired whose right is the khums (one-fifth share), when does the term "orphan" cease to apply to a child, can women be taken along in battle, and does a slave have any share in the spoils of war? Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) wrote in reply: As for children, if you are like Khidr (peace be upon him) and can distinguish between a believer and a disbeliever, then by all means kill them. As for the issue of khums, we used to say that it is our right, but our people think that it is not our right. As for women, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to take women along with him in battle; they would treat the sick and look after the wounded, but they did not participate in fighting. The stigma of orphanhood is removed from a child after he reaches maturity. As for the slave, he has no share in the spoils of war, but they used to be given a little something.