The Prophet (ﷺ) said: There are three (persons) whose actions are not recorded: a sleeper till he awakes, a boy till he reaches puberty, and a lunatic till he comes to reason.
Abu Dawud said: Ibn Juraij has transmitted it from Al-Qasim b. Yazid on the authority of 'Ali from the Prophet (ﷺ). This version adds: "and an old man who is feeble-minded."
Hadith Commentary: Prescribed Punishments (Kitab Al-Hudud)
Sunan Abi Dawud 4403 - This tradition addresses the fundamental Islamic legal principle of legal capacity (ahliyyah) required for religious accountability.
Primary Exemption Categories
The sleeper: One in deep sleep lacks consciousness and intent (niyyah), both essential for religious accountability. Actions performed while asleep carry no legal or spiritual consequences.
The prepubescent child: Before reaching puberty (bulugh), a child lacks full intellectual and spiritual development. While encouraged to practice, they are not held accountable for omissions until maturity.
The insane person: Mental incapacity prevents proper understanding of religious obligations. The condition must be continuous; intermittent sanity creates partial accountability during lucid periods.
Supplementary Addition
The feeble-minded elder: Advanced senility that impairs cognitive function equates to mental incapacity. Mere old age without cognitive decline doesn't qualify - the condition must resemble insanity in effect.
Legal Implications
These exemptions apply to both voluntary acts of worship (ibadat) and legal responsibilities (mu'amalat). However, civil liabilities for property damage may still apply through guardians.
In criminal matters (hudud), these conditions prevent punishment since criminal intent cannot be established. The community's protection remains obligatory for their welfare.