My Sister's Keeper 2007

As-Salaamu `Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Legal responsibility [taklif] is usually assigned of anyone who has reached physical maturity [bulugh] and is sane [`aqil].

Several indicators are used in determining physical maturity.

For Males, it is one of the following happening:
- Ejaculation
- Sprouting of pubic hair
- Completing fifteen LUNAR years of age (if one or both of the above does not happen first)

For Females, it is one of the following happening:
- Menstruation
- Sprouting of pubic hair
- Pregnancy
- Reaching fifteen LUNAR years of age if none of the above happen first

A related definition that is crucial for business transactions is rational [rushd] which would be defined as being wise with one's money and not wasting it on things with no benefit. [See: Nail al-ma'arib bi sharh dalil al-talib, 1.399-400.]
And Allah knows best.

Latifah M.