Are Actions of Minors Before Puberty Judged by Allah? Insights from Islam

Understanding the judgment of minors before reaching puberty is crucial in Islam. The Quran and Hadith provide clear guidelines on how minors and those who have reached puberty are judged for their actions. In Islam, minors are those who have not yet reached the age of puberty. This age can vary depending on an individual's biology but typically ranges from 9 to 15 years old. Once a person reaches puberty, the rules and consequences for their actions change significantly.

The Age of Minors in Islam

Islamic law does not consider 18 as the point at which one is no longer a minor. According to Islamic teachings, 18 is the age at which a person is considered fully grown and matured, physically and legally. However, for religious and legal purposes, before reaching puberty, a person is still considered a minor.

Girls in Islam are considered to reach puberty as young as 9 years old, while boys can reach puberty as young as 13 years old. The exact age of puberty can vary and is often determined by the onset of physical changes such as menstruation for girls and the growth of facial and underarm hair for boys.

Judgment of Minor Actions in Islam

The Quran makes it clear that minors are not held accountable for their actions before reaching puberty. According to the Quran, the pen will be lifted from minors or children who have reached puberty. This means that prior to puberty, children's actions are not recorded or judged in the same way as those of adults.

However, the Hadith offers several insights into the nature of judgment before and after puberty. In one notable Hadith narrated by Aisha (RA), the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) cautioned her about making unfounded statements about minors. When she remarked that she believed children were angels, resulting in their deaths, he replied: "How do you know? Are you their guardian angel or have you received any news from Allah?" This Hadith underlines the importance of understanding and acknowledging the limitations of human knowledge.

The Role of Knowledge and Responsibility

According to Islamic teachings, once a person reaches puberty, they are held accountable for their actions. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught that knowledge leads to responsibility. For example, when a person learns about the consequences of their actions, they are expected to act with caution and consideration.

For instance, if a child learns how to cook or how to handle dangerous tools, they are expected to use this knowledge responsibly. Similarly, if a child acquires knowledge that certain actions, such as hurting living beings, are forbidden, they are held responsible for following this knowledge. This means that minors who have the capacity to understand and follow ethical guidelines are indeed responsible for their actions, even if the consequences are not immediate or conscious.

Learning and Consequences

The importance of learning and understanding inculcates a sense of responsibility in minors. Knowledge, though it comes with power, also comes with the burden of responsibility. A child who learns how to cook might understand that timing and care are necessary to prevent accidents, while a child who learns about the care of infants will understand the importance of proper nurturing.

However, knowledge is not always perfect. In the absence of proper education or guidance, a child might make mistakes. For example, if a child learns how to use a magnifying glass to burn ants but lacks knowledge of the harm it could bring, they may inadvertently cause harm to living beings. If this happens once, the pain and guilt they experience is often greater than the action itself. If it happens again, it could be considered a sin, as the knowledge and responsibility are understood.

Conclusion

The judgment of minors in Islam is nuanced and based on their capacity to understand and act responsibly. While those under puberty are not judged in the same way as adults, once they reach puberty, they are expected to behave with the wisdom and caution that comes from knowledge. Understanding the teachings of Islam on minors and puberty can help guide both parents and communities in teaching responsibility and accountability to the younger generation.

References

For a deeper understanding of this topic, one can refer to: