When Is It Obligatory for Children to Pray (Make Salah)?

Question:

When is it obligatory for children to pray (make Salah)? What are the responsibilities of parents when children neglect their prayers?

Answer:

In the name of Allah, we praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.

`Amr ibn Shu`aib reported on his father’s authority that his grandfather (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Command your children to perform Salah (prayer) when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they are ten, and do not let (boys and girls) sleep together”. (Abu Dawud) 

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband’s house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects.” (Agreed Upon) 

Islam is a gentle religion. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) taught with love and compassion. We should always remember this when we teach our own children. Do not force anything, be as calm as is humanely possible and remember: they are just children. Parents should reward them for doing so. As with all noble and virtuous acts, this is all the more easier if the parents pray regularly at home, as little kids love to mimic.

We are directed to start asking a child to pray from the age of 7 years and then from age 10 we are to help them pray daily.

Watch this interesting talk with Sheikh Ibrahim Zidan to learn more about the prayer for children. 


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Source: Huda Youtube Channel.

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