Jurisprudential and Legal Analysis of Article 957 of the Civil Code: Fetal Competence of Enjoyment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Farhangīyān University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Theology, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran

3 Master's Graduate in Theology, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran

Abstract

In Article 957 of the Civil Code, the legislator has spoken about fetal competence of enjoyment stating that the fetus enjoys civil rights, provided that it is born alive. It seems that there is no clear statement in this regard in jurisprudential texts. In this study, we try to answer the questions: Is the condition of being born alive valid only about inheritance or can it be generalized to all rules of pregnancy and fetus? What is the difference between inheritance and other rights related to pregnancy, which requires several rulings? In this article, based on religious and legal arguments, we have given appropriate answers to these questions and we have reached the conclusion that since the condition of the live birth of a fetus has religious reasons only for inheritance, the condition, by comparing other matters, cannot be generalized to contracts such as gift, peace, sale and endowment without a reason. And the spread of this condition to other contracts requires a reason which is missing, because inheritance is a legal event and is forcibly inherited by the heirs, but contracts are legal acts that are enacted by the legislator and have legal effect or are of an indefinite category that are not mentioned in the law. According to the theory of ownership transferring in contracts, the fetus becomes the owner from the time of transfer of ownership, and it does not matter if he is born alive or dead. As a result, the nature of contracts is different from inheritance. Thus, having multiple natures also requires multiple rulings. Consequently, in Article 957 of the Civil Code, it is better to reconsider the condition of the living birth of the fetus to enjoy civil rights.

Keywords

References

The Holy Quran. 1994. Translated by Nasr Makarem Shirazi, Qom: House of the Noble Quran.
Alishahi Ghaleh Jughi, Abolfazl; Khedmati, Ismail. 2017. "Taammoli Feghhi bar Maddeh 851 Ghanun Madani: Shart Zendeh Motewalled Shodan Haml Baray Tamallok dar Wasiyat (Jurisprudential Reflection on Article 851 of the Civil Code: The Condition of a Live Birth of a Fetus for Acquisition of a Will)", in: Studies of Islamic Jurisprudence and Basics of Law, no. 35, pp. 45-59. [in Farsi]
Ameli Jobai (Shahid Thani), Zeyn al-Din ibn Ali. 1989. Al-Rozah al-Bahiyah fi Sharh al-Lomah al-Dameshghiyyah, Annotated by Seyyed Mohammad Kalantar, Qom: Dawari Bookstore, vol. 1. [in Arabic]
Ameli Nabti (Shahid Awwal), Mohammad ibn Makki. 1996. Al-Dorus al-Shariyah fi Feghh al-Emamiyah (Sharia Lessons in Imami Jurisprudence), Qom: Islamic Publications Office, Second Edition. [in Arabic]
Ansari, Morteza. 2000. Siyagh al-Oghud wa al-Ighaat (Formulas of Contracts), Molla Mohammad Yusof Estarabadi, Qom: Islamic Thought Complex. [in Arabic]
Arshadi, Aliyar. 2005. Sharh Ghanun Madani (Description of the Civil Code), Tehran: Light Shadow, First Edition. [in Farsi]
Bahjat Gilani, Mohammad Taghi. 2007. Esteftaat (Replies to Inquiries), Qom: Office of Ayatollah Behjat. [in Farsi]
Bahrami Khoshkar, Mohammad. 2011. Ghawaed Erth dar Feghh Emamiyyeh wa Ghanun Madani (Rules of Inheritance in Imami Jurisprudence and Civil Law), Tehran: Word of God. [in Arabic]
Bahrani, Yusof. 1988. Al-Hadaegh al-Nazerah (Lush Gardens), Qom: Islamic Publishing Foundation, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Bayat, Farhad; Bayat, Shirin. 2017. Sharh Jame Hoghugh Madani (Comprehensive Description of Civil Rights), Tehran: Arshad, 13th Edition. [in Farsi]
Fayyaz Kaboli, Mohammad Eshagh. 2005. Resaleh Tozih al-Masael (Treatise on Jurisprudential Issues), Qom: Majlesi. [in Arabic]
Fazel Hendi, Mohammad ibn Hasan. 1995. Kashf al-Letham wa al-Ebham an Ghawaed al-Ahkam (Revelation of the Veil and Ambiguity of the Principles of Rulings), Qom: Islamic Publications Institute. [in Arabic]
Feyz Kashani, Mohammad Mohsen. 1981. Mafatih al-Sharae (Keys of the Sharia), Qom: Islamic Heritage Assembly. [in Arabic]
Ghebleyi, Khalil. 2008. Masael Mostahdatheh (New Issues), Tehran: Samt & Faculty of Judicial Sciences. [
Hayeri Yazdi, Abd al-Karim. 1997. Dorar al-Fawaed (Pearls of Benefits), Qom: Mehr Publication, Sixth Edition. [in Arabic]
Helli, Hasan ibn Yusof. 1993. Tazkerah al-Foghaha (Notes for Jurists), Qom: Al al-Bayt (AS) Foundation. [in Arabic]
Helli, Hasan ibn Yusof. 1999. Tahrir al-Ahkam al-Shariah ala Mazhab al-Emamiyyah (Writing the Religious Rulings Based on the Imami School), Researched by Ibrahim Bahadori, Qom: Imam Sadegh (AS) Institute. [in Arabic]
Helli, Jafar ibn Hasan. 1987. Sharae al-Eslam fi Masael al-Halal wa al-Haram (Canons of Islam on the Matters of Halal and Haram), Qom: Ismailiyan Institute, Second Edition. [in Arabic]
Horr Aameli, Mohammad ibn Hasan. 1988. Wasael al-Shiah (The Means of the Shiites), Qom: Al al-Bayt Foundation. [in Arabic]
Hoseyni Khamenei, Seyyed Ali ibn Jawad. 2003. Ajwabah al-Esteftaat (Replies to Inquiries), The Office of His Holiness in Qom. [in Arabic]
Hoseyni Rohani, Sadegh. 1991. Feghh al-Sadegh (Jafari Jurisprudence), Qom: Book House. [in Arabic]
Hoseyni Shahrudi, Mahmud. 2006. Nataej al-Afkar fi al-Osul (The Results of Thoughts in Principles), Qom: First Edition. [in Arabic]
Ibn Edris Helli, Mohammad ibn Mansur. 1989.  Al-Saraer al-Hawi le Tahrir al-Fatawa (Secrets of Rules Writing), Qom: Islamic Publications Office. [in Arabic]
Jafari Langerudi, Mohammad Jafar. 2017. Hoghugh Madani: Wasiyat (Civil Rights: Will), Tehran: Treasure of Knowledge. [in Farsi]
Karaki, Ali ibn Hoseyn. 1993. Jame al-Maghased fi Sharh al-Ghawaed (Collection of Intentions in Explaining the Rules), Qom: Al al-Bayt Institute. [in Arabic]
Kashef al-Gheta, Mohammad Hoseyn. 1940. Tahrir al-Majallah, Najaf: Mortazawi Press. [in Arabic]
Katuziyan, Naser. 2011. Wasiyat dar Hoghugh Madani Iran (Will in Iranian Civil Law), Tehran: University of Tehran. [in Farsi]
Katuziyan, Naser. 2013. Doreh Moghaddamati Hoghugh Madani Erth (Inheritance Civil Law Introductory Course), Tehran: Mizan, Fifth Edition. [in Farsi]
Khansari, Seyyed Ahmad ibn Yusof. 1984. Jame al-Madarek fi Sharh Mokhtasar al-Nafe, Qom: Ismailiyan Institute. [in Arabic]
Koleyni, Mohammad ibn Yaghub. 1986. Al-Kafi, Researched by Ali Akbar Ghaffari, Tehran: Islamic Books House, Fourth Edition. [in Arabic]
Mirzay Qomi, Abolghasem ibn Mohammad Hasan. 1992. Jame al-Shatat fi Ajwabah al-Soalat (Collection of Replies to Inquiries), Edited & Prepared by Morteza Razawi, Tehran: Keyhan Institute. [in Arabic]
Mohaddeth Qomi, Abbas. 2002. Al-Ghayah al-Ghoswa fi Tarjemah al-Orwah al-Wothgha, Translated by Ali Reza Asadollahi Fard, Qom: Victory Morning. [in Farsi]
Mohammadi, Ali Mohammad Yusof. 1994. Ahkam al-Nasab fi al-Shariah al-Islamiyyah (Rulings of Lineage in Islamic Law), Qatar: Ibn al-Fojaah House. [in Arabic]
Mozaffari, Mahdi. 2012. Hoghugh Janin ba Tekkiyeh bar Salamt Jesmi wa Ruhi U (Fetal Rights based on His Physical and Mental Health), Tehran: Immortal & Jungle. [in Farsi]
Musawi Khoyi, Abu al-Ghasem. 1976. Mabani Takmelah al-Menhaj (Fundamentals of Completing the Path), Qom: Scientific Press, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Najafi, Mohammad Hasan. 1983. Jawaher al-Kalam fi Sharh Sharae al-Islam (The Jewel of the Words in the Explanation of Islamic Law), Beirut: Arabic Heritage Revival House, Seventh Edition. [in Arabic]
Safayi, Seyyed Hoseyn; Ghasemzadeh, Seyyed Morteza. 2010. Hoghugh Madani Ashkhas wa Mahjurin (Civil Rights of Persons and Interdicted People), Tehran: Samt, 16th Edition. [in Farsi]
Safi Golpaygani, Lotfollah. 1995. Hedayah al-Ebad (Guidance of Servants), Qom: Holy Quran Institute. [in Arabic]
Sharani, Abu al-Hasan. 1998. Tabserah al-Moteallemin fi Ahkam al-Din: Tarjomah wa Sharh (Notes for Learners on the Rules of Religion: Translation and Explanation), Tehran: Islamic Publications, Fifth Edition. [in Arabic]
Shushtari, Mohammad Taghi. 1985. Al-Najah fi Sharh al-Lomah, Tehran: Sadugh Bookstore. [in Arabic]
Sobhani Tabrizi, Jafar. 2008. Resaleh Tozih al-Masael (Treatise on Jurisprudential Issues), Qom: Imam Sadegh Institute, Third Edition. [in Farsi]
Stone, Ferdinand Fairfax. 2009. Nahad-hay Asasi Hoghugh Eyalat Mottahedeh Amrika (Basic Institutions of United States Law), Translated by Seyyed Hoseyn Safayi, Tehran: Jungle. [in Farsi]
Tabatabayi Hakim, Seyyed Mohsen. 1995. Mostamsak al-Orwah al-Wothgha, Qom: Exegesis Institute Press. [in Arabic]
Tabatabayi, Taghi. 2005. Mabani Menhaj al-Salehin (Fundamentals of the Disciplines of the Righteous), Edited by Abbas Hajiyani, Qom: East Pen Publishing. [in Arabic]
Taheri, Habibollah. 2013. Hoghugh Madani (Civil Law), Qom: Islamic Publications Office. [in Farsi]
Tusi, Mohammad ibn al-Hasan. 2011. Al-Estebsar fi Ma Okhtolefah men al-Akhbar (Insight into Disputed Narrations), Tehran: Islamic Books Institute. [in Arabic]
Tusi, Mohammad ibn Hasan. 1967. Al-Mabsut fi Feghh al-Emamiyah (Detailed Explanation of Imami Jurisprudence), Tehran: Mortazavi Publication for the Revival of al-Jafari Works, Third Edition. [in Arabic]
Wahid Khorasani, Hoseyn. 2007. Tozih al-Masael (Replies to Inquiries), Qom: Imam Bagher School, Ninth Edition. [in Farsi]
Yazdi, Seyyed Mohammad Kazem. 1993. Takmelah al-Orwah al-Wothgha, Edited by Seyyed Mohammad Hoseyn Tabatabayi, Qom: Dawari Bookstore, First Edition. [in Arabic]
Yazdi, Seyyed Mohammad Kazem. 1994. Soal wa Jawab (Question and Answer), Prepared by Seyyed Mostafa Mohaghghegh Damad, Research Assistants: Seyyed Mostafa Mohaghghegh & Seyyed Mohammad Madani Bajestani & Seyyed Hasan Shobeyri, Tehran: Islamic Sciences Center. [in Farsi]
 
 
Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family
Volume 4, Issue 7 - Serial Number 7
September 2021
Pages 55-79

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 20 January 2021
  • Revise Date: 24 May 2021
  • Accept Date: 24 July 2021

Share

How to cite

Statistics