baligh

Baligh is an Arabic term used in Islamic jurisprudence to denote the attainment of puberty and the associated legal accountability (taklif). It marks the point at which a person becomes mukallaf, meaning they are responsible for religious duties such as prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and other acts requiring intention and consent, as well as subject to certain legal rulings.

Linguistically, baligh derives from the root balagh, meaning to reach or attain. In fiqh, the concept centers on reaching physical or legal maturity rather than simply aging.

Signs and criteria for baligh vary by gender and school of thought. For girls, a clear sign is the onset of menstruation (menarche); if menstruation does not occur, some schools allow that reaching 15 lunar years constitutes baligh. For boys, signs include ejaculation (including nocturnal emission) or the growth of pubic hair. If no signs appear by the age of 15 lunar years, baligh is presumed. Some sources recognize additional physical indicators of puberty.

There are variations among the four Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, Hanbali) and among Shia jurisprudence, particularly in the emphasis on certain signs or exact ages. Nonetheless, the overarching principle is widespread: baligh indicates eligibility for religious duties and many civil and familial rights and obligations.

In modern contexts, the concept of adulthood in civil law—often set at 18 or another age—may differ from baligh, which remains a religious-legal milestone. Baligh continues to be cited in matters of inheritance, marriageability, and capacity for contracts within Islamic jurisprudence.