Is a boy considered an adult and held accountable if he experiences seminal emission while awake at the age of twelve or thirteen, given that they say the age of accountability is fifteen?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The emission of semen is a sign of puberty by consensus, based on the Almighty's saying: "{And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission}." Thus, whoever reaches the age of 12 or 13 with the emission of semen is considered an adult, because they have exceeded the minimum age for puberty. According to the Maliki and Shafi'i schools, puberty is reached upon completing nine lunar years. For the Hanafis, it is twelve years, and for the Hanbalis, ten years. As for the age of 15, it is a sign of puberty in the absence of nocturnal emission.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 176759
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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