Puberty – Girls
Girls reach puberty and adulthood when they experience the
above three signs. However, they have a fourth sign, that is,
menstruation (hayd). Whenever a girl experiences it, she is a
woman even if she is 12 years old. At that time, the Qalam, the
pen of responsibilities, begins to flow and to record the deeds
of the servant, good or bad. It is interesting that in the western
world the case is the reverse. You see, when a juvenile reaches
the age of puberty in Al-Islam he or she should be careful
about anything he or she does or says. On the contrary, in the
West when the person comes of age, he or she is allowed to do
things which are detrimental to his or her well being. They are
licensed to read, watch, and listen to so- called adult material,
as if when one is an adult it is time to be irresponsible.
Indeed, if puberty is attained during the days of Ramadan, say
at midday, and the young person is fasting, he or she should
continue his or her fasting and there will be no obligation on
him or her to make up the fast. If he was not fasting, it is in-
cumbent upon him to observe the rest of the day in fasting, be-
cause he has become an adult upon whom Islamic rites are
obligatory. Girls in menstruation can’t observe half day, nor
should they make that half day up.