“I related this report to Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, and he said: ‘This distinguishes between those fit for combat and the children.’ He then issued written instructions that a fifteen-year-old be enrolled among the fighters, while anyone younger be counted among the dependants.” This is the view of most scholars.

Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: A girl reaches puberty upon completing seventeen years, and a boy upon completing eighteen years.

As for nocturnal emission, what is meant by it is the discharge of semen, whether through a nocturnal emission, sexual intercourse, or otherwise. Thus, if this occurs after completing nine years of age—regardless of its cause—he or she is deemed to have reached puberty, due to the saying of Allah Most High: “And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Muadh regarding the poll tax when he sent him to Yemen: “Take one dinar from every adult male.” (1)

As for the growth of coarse hair around the private parts, it constitutes puberty in the case of the children of the polytheists. This is based on what was related from Atiyyah al-Qurazi, who said: “I was among the captives of Qurayzah. They would examine us: whoever had grown hair was killed, while whoever had not grown hair was not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair.” (2)

Whether this also constitutes puberty in the case of Muslim children is subject to two opinions. The first is that it constitutes puberty, just as it does in the case of the children of the disbelievers. The second is that it does not constitute puberty, because the dates of birth of Muslim children can be established by referring to their fathers. In the case of the disbelievers, however, their dates of birth cannot be established, nor is the statement of their fathers concerning this accepted because of their disbelief. Thus, the growth of hair—which is an indication of puberty—has been treated as puberty in their case.

As for the signs exclusive to women, they are menstruation and pregnancy. If a woman menstruates after completing nine years of age, she is deemed to have reached puberty. Likewise, if she gives birth, she is deemed to have reached puberty six months before delivery, since that is the minimum duration of pregnancy.

As for sound judgment, it means that a person is upright in his religion and prudent with his wealth. Uprightness in religion means avoiding grave indecencies and sins that undermine moral probity. Prudence with wealth means not being wasteful. Wastefulness is spending one’s wealth on that which brings neither worldly benefit nor reward in the Hereafter, or being unable to manage it properly, such that one suffers loss in transactions. Thus, if a minor reaches puberty while corrupt in his religion and unable to manage his wealth properly, the legal interdiction remains upon him: his property is not handed over to him, and his transactions are not legally effective.

According to Abu Hanifah, may Allah have mercy on him, if he manages his wealth properly, the legal interdiction is lifted from him even if he is corrupt in his religion; and if