Baligh

In Islamic legal terminology, Baligh or Bulugh (Arabic: بالغ or بُلوغ‎) refers to a person who has reached maturity or puberty and has full responsibility under Islamic law.

When a girl (1) have her mense or (2) becomes pregnant before her first mense or (3) not having mense and not becoming pregnant but had wet dream (dreaming of sexual intercourse and having pleasure and as a result having discharge) or (4) the first three conditions are not met but she completes her 15 years (lunar year), she will be considered as baligha.

When a boy reaches his puberty (growing pubic hair or having wet dream) or not having such signs but completes his 15 years (lunar year) he is considered as baligh.

For example, in issues pertaining to marriage, baligh is related to the Arabic legal expression, hatta tutiqa'l-rijal, which means that the a wedding may not take place until the girl is physically fit to engage in sexual intercourse. In comparison, baligh or balaghat concerns the reaching of sexual maturity which becomes manifest by the menses. The age related to these two concepts can, but need not necessarily, coincide. Only after a separate condition called rushd, or intellectual maturity to handle one's own property, is reached can a girl receive her bridewealth.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ Masud, Islamic Legal Interpretation, Muftis and Their Fatwas, Harvard University Press, 1996

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