Bulūgh and Bioethics: Islamic Criteria for Puberty and its Contemporary Implications

Abstract

In Islamic law, Bulūgh (puberty) separates childhood from adulthood, yet English-language scholarship on it is sparse and fragmented. We reviewed primary juristic compendia of the four canonical schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, Ḥanbalī), synthesized biomedical literature on pubertal markers, and analyzed bioethical implications through case studies. All four schools accept iḥtilām (ejaculation) in males and ḥayḍ (menstruation) or ḥaml (pregnancy) in females as definitive; inbāt (pubic hair) and breast development are conditional in some schools. Absent physical signs, bulūgh defaults to an upper age of 15–19 lunar years, with 15 the majority position for both sexes; minimum thresholds of 9–12 years vary by school and sex. These criteria can conflict with prevalent legal and bioethical norms, creating dilemmas for Muslim patients. Integrating them into clinical policy would support patient autonomy, legal clarity, and culturally competent care. Interdisciplinary dialogue between jurists, clinicians, and ethicists is urgently needed.