Asslamu alaikum,

What is the age of puberty for boys and girls? When they must perform prayer? Jazakum Allah khaira. Asslamu alaikum.

In the name of Allah, Ar-Rahmaan, Ar-Raheem.

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allah, his household, his companions, and his followers.

Some signs of puberty are a wet dream, growing of pubic hair, menstruation, and reaching the age of puberty.  A wet dream is a common sign between boys and girls, and it is one of puberty's signs.  Allah said, interpretation of meaning, (When your children reach the age of puberty…) [Sura an-Noor: 59] and (…if they reach the age of marriage, i.e. the age of puberty…) [Sura an-Nisa': 6]. In addition, the prophet sala Allah alaihi wa-sallam said, "Taking a bath on Friday is essential for every person reaches the age of puberty." Narrated by al-Bukhari.  Growing of pubic hair is another sign of puberty, and it is a common sign between boys and girls. Atiyya Al-Qurzi narrated," On the day of Qurayza, we (the captives) were examined before the prophet sala Allah alaihi wa-sllam.  Whoever had grown pubic hair was killed, and whoever had not grown pubic hair was set free.  I was among those who had not grown pubic hair, thus, I was set free." Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his musand. The scholars have different views about confirming  puberty, and what I  have mentioned is the view of the Hanbali school of jurisprudence, a narration on the authority of Abu Yusuf, the student of Imam Abu Hanifa, a view from the Maliki and Shafi' schools of jurisprudence.

As far as defining the age of puberty is concerned, it is one of the signs of puberty, which the scholars differed greatly over. Perhaps, the most predominant view is that it is fifteen years, and it is the view of the Shafi', and Hanbali schools of jurisprudence, and it was chosen by the Maliki scholar, Ibn Wahab, the Hanfi' scholars, Abu Yusuf, and Muhammad, and it was narrated on the authority of Abu Hanifa. This view is the most predominant one because Ibn Umar may Allah be pleased with him said, " On the eve of the battle of Uhud, the prophet sala Allah alaihi wa-sallam examined me when I was fourteen years old, and he did not allow me to take part in that battle. He (the prophet) examined me on the day of Khandaq, when I was fifteen years old, and he allowed me to take part in that battle." Narrated by al-Bukahri. Nafi' the slave of Ibn Umar may Allah be pleased with them said, "I went to Umar bin Abdul Aziz, who was Caliph at that time, and narrated this ( above) narration to him. He said, 'This age is the limit between childhood and adulthood." He wrote to his governors to give salaries to those who reached the age of fifteen, and regard as child whoever was younger than that age."

As for payer, the prophet sala Allah alaihi wa-sallam said, "Command your children to pray when they reach the age of seven. Beat them if (they do not pray) when they reach the age of ten, and have them sleep separately." Narrated by Ahmad.  However, one is considered sinful, and will be called to account on the Day of Judgment if he does not pray when he reaches puberty. It was narrated that the prophet sala Allah alaihi wa-sallam said, " The pen is raised from three (meaning: there is no obligation upon three): one who is sleeping until he wakens, the child until he reaches puberty, and one who is insane until he becomes sane." Narrated by Ahmad. May Allah increase your comprehension and enlightenment. And Allah knows best.