Is prayer obligatory upon a discerning, prepubescent boy?

Primary text

Prayer is not obligatory upon a discerning, prepubescent boy, according to the soundest of the two narrations. If such a boy prays within the prescribed time, and then attains puberty either during the prayer or after finishing it, he must repeat the prayer. This position is held by Abu Hanifa. The reasoning is that he prayed before the obligation became incumbent upon him and before the cause for its obligation was present, meaning the prayer does not count for the obligation that later became due, similar to one praying before the proper time. Furthermore, his action counted as a supererogatory act (*nafl*) and does not suffice for the obligatory act, like intending a supererogatory act when an obligatory one is due.