Alternatively, could it be that "forty years" is being used metaphorically for "many years"?

During both the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, as well as in many instances in the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Islamic side has often reported casualties using the number "40". They may say that 40 Muslims or civilians were killed, or that 40 of their enemies were killed. This can reflect a desire to use a religiously significant number for propaganda purposes. It can also reflect the fact that "40" in the Arab world can simply mean "a lot" or "many", much in the same way that westerners use the term "dozens".
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40_(number)#In_Islamic_Culture

Nadeem

My take on this issue is that the age 40 indicates a time when the human being is no longer a minor (in God`s eyes). The distinction I believe the verse is pointing out is that peoples actions before 40 and after 40 do not carry the same weight with God (one is that of a minor, the other is that of an adult).

This does not mean to say that a person below 40 cannot go to Hell, rather, God`s judgement takes the age factor into consideration.

After all, He is the Most Just.

as bro nadeem pointed out 4615-16 speak only of those who submit

Verse 19 is what we should consider more

4615 And We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him with hardship, gave birth to him in hardship, and his bearing and weaning lasts thirty months. So that, when he has reached his independence, and he has reached forty years, he says "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness that pleases You. And let my progeny be righteous. I have repented to You; I am of those who have submitted."

The verse is basically describing the life of an average person. He is weaned for thirty months following his birth. When he is independent or has reached the age of forty he begins to appreciate the blessings which Allah has showered throughout his life, and he prays to Him to give him pure and righteous progeny. There is no basis whatsoever that a person becomes responsible for his beliefs and actions when he turns 40 according to this verse, that is pure CONJECTURE. Jazakum Allah

very valid point and this is the part that makes me unsure about my stance hmm

Specifically look at verse 19 (hehe, 19), that shows all people are going to be judged.

I wonder the same thing. I know in many muslim countries they insist that we are judged if death occurs at a young age (say around the age of 12), but that doesn't seem like something the Most Merciful would do.

logically speaking its hard for me to believe a 12 year old would be judged by the Most Merciful ( as you pointed out ) as they haven't gained any knowledge, when i was 12 i didn't even know what i was following

Kind of reminds me of Rashad Khalifa who came to the conclusion that our deeds wont be counted until we reach 40 years old.

yeah i knew that and this one is valid from the quran itself, some/a lot of his interpretations were not based on the quran alone, but this definitely was

Peace,

Perhaps the use of "forty years" in this verse is for alluding to Mohammed's own life. He is said to have been forty when he became a prophet.

interesting thought but 4615 is taking about the human being, and not a specific person and also its really hard to believe the hadith about how old he was, its possible, but who knows FOR SURE. Though 40 is a repeated number in the Quran (if i remember correctly) Isn't the age of 40 the peak of physchological development? this was also claimed by rashad khalifa and he referenced a physiological book

"overall quantity of stored knowledge in the mind of an individual reaches a peak at age thirty-nine and after that it gradually declines." Arthur C. Guyton, in his standard textbook on physiology, Physiology of the Human Body( 6th ed, pg.207)

Does this source have any merit?

Why cant "it is from these" in 4616 be referring to "those who have submitted" in 4615.

i believe it is...

my understanding (at this time) of these verses is that God is telling us 'you have till the age of 40 to decide who/what you wanna be and/or if you want to be a submitter and after that its fair game'

i'm still not sure though

Perhaps the use of "forty years" in this verse is for alluding to Mohammed's own life. He is said to have been forty when he became a prophet.

Why cant "it is from these" in 4616 be referring to "those who have submitted" in 4615.

Nadeem

I wonder the same thing. I know in many muslim countries they insist that we are judged if death occurs at a young age (say around the age of 12), but that doesn't seem like something the Most Merciful would do.