'AQIL

(Arabic: knowledgeable), in Islamic law, one who is in full possession of his mental faculties. Such a person is legally responsible for his actions and punishable for any deviation from religious commandments. 'Aqil is often used with the adjective baligh (grown-up, or of age) in contrast to qasir (juvenile). In Islamic law, a qasir cannot qualify as a witness in court without consideration of his mental capabilities. For this reason many Muslim scholars directly relate 'aqil to a person's age. Though there is no uniform opinion on the exact age at which an individual becomes an 'aqil, the years 13 to 15 are often mentioned.