The age at which an individual should consider it his responsibility to abide by the directives of the Shari`ah actually relates to his relative mental, intellectual and emotional maturity. It is the time at which an individual internally appreciates the significance of the Shari`ah and the importance of abiding by it. Nevertheless, because the mental, intellectual and emotional maturity of an individual may not always be easily determinable and verifiable, therefore, a surrogate criterion of physical maturity is generally accepted. According to this criterion as the physical signs of adolescence appear on an individual. Nevertheless, I fully agree with you that if we, as parents, are careful in providing a congenial environment to our children, it would not only help them in understanding the significance of the Shari`ah and the importance of their abiding by it, but shall also promote their own adherence and abidance by the directives of the Shari`ah , without us having to force them to do so. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad September 7, 2002 Answer published by Moiz Amjad