that Ibn 'Umar said: "I was reviewed before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in the army, and I was fourteen years old, but he did not accept me. Then I was reviewed before him in the army later while I was fifteen years old, and he accepted me." Nafi' said: "I narrated this Hadith to 'Uman bin 'Abdul Azeez and he said: 'This is the limit that distinguishes between childhood and adulthood.' Then he wrote to give salaries to whoever reached fifteen years old."
(Another chain) from Nafi', from Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet (ﷺ) and it is similar, but he did not mention in it that 'Umar bin 'Abdul-'Aziz wrote that this is the limit that distinguishes between youth and childhood and adulthood. In his narration, Ibn 'Uyainah said (that Nafi' said): "I narrated it to 'Umar bin 'Abdul-'Aziz and he said: 'This is the limit that distinguishes between children and soldiers.'"
Narrated by Narrated Nafi':
Context
In this narration, Ibn 'Umar recounts an experience where he was evaluated for military service by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). At fourteen, he was deemed too young, but by fifteen, he was accepted. This highlights the Prophet's consideration of maturity and readiness in fulfilling responsibilities, particularly in community service.
Modern Application
Today, this principle resonates in how societies determine the age of responsibility for various roles, from voting to employment. It encourages discussions about youth readiness and the importance of recognizing maturity in different contexts.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Family and Community because it addresses the transition from childhood to adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it.
And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims."
And when the children among you reach puberty, let them ask permission [at all times] as those before them have done. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.
This hadith is #1374 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of The Chapters On Judgements From The Messenger of Allah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Nafi':.