When should a child be instructed to pray?

Hazrat Sabrah bin Ma’bad Juhani narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When a child reaches the age of seven, instruct him to perform prayer; and if he reaches the age of ten and still neglects prayer, then discipline him.

The Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: When children reach the age of seven, instruct them to perform prayer; if they reach the age of ten and still do not pray, then discipline them and separate their beds.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say that wake the child for prayer; let him perform the prayer even if it is only one prostration.

Hazrat Umar once passed by a woman who was waking her child for prayer, and he was being stubborn. Hazrat Umar said to her, "Leave him; prayer is not obligatory upon him until he reaches maturity."

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that a child should be taught prayer when he is able to distinguish between right and left.

Hazrat A'mash says that Ibrahim used to teach a child prayer when his milk teeth had fallen out once and new ones had come in.

Ibrahim says that the predecessors used to teach children prayer when their milk teeth had fallen out once and grown again.

Hazrat Urwah used to teach children prayer when they attained understanding, and would have them fast when they had the strength for it.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman Yahsabi says that when a child is able to count up to twenty, he should be instructed to perform prayer.

It is narrated similarly through another chain.

Hazrat Mak'hool says that when a child reaches the age of seven, he should be instructed to pray, and when he reaches the age of ten, he should be beaten for neglecting the prayer.

Hazrat Maymoon bin Mehran says that when a child reaches puberty, he should be instructed to perform prayer.

Hazrat Abu Ishaq used to teach the child prayer when his age was between seven and ten years.

Hazrat Ja'far narrates from his father that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Husain used to instruct the children to combine the Zuhr and Asr prayers, and to combine the Maghrib and Isha prayers. Someone said to him that in this way, they would be praying without regard to the proper time. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Husain replied that this is better than them going to sleep without having prayed.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin says that a child should be taught prayer when he is able to distinguish between right and left.

The same is also narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both).

Hazrat Abdullah says: Make children accustomed to prayer.