Placing a Hand on a Little Girl’s Private Part Does Not Establish Prohibition

Question

My little daughter is three years old. In a state of sleep my hand stayed on her private part; when I woke up, I became aware of it. I became very worried?

Answer

A hand being placed on the private part of a three-year-old girl during sleep has no effect on the nikah; indeed, even if one places it while awake, nothing happens then either. Her istinja and cleansing (tahara) also have to be done, so do not worry.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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