Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
❖ Question
If a son or other family members do not perform prayer, what responsibilities fall upon the parents in such a situation?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
When children — especially sons — do not perform the prayer, it is obligatory upon the parents to strictly urge them to observe it. Parents should:
✿ Advise them verbally, explaining the importance of prayer.
✿ Give explicit instructions to ensure they are committed to it.
✿ If these methods fail, they may also enforce prayer through physical discipline.
In this regard, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
«وَاضْرِبُوْهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لِعَشْرِ»
(Musnad Aḥmad: 2/178; Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣalāh, Bāb Matā Yuʾmar al-Ghulām bi-ṣ-Ṣalāh, ḥadīth: 495; Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ, ḥadīth: 5868)
Translation:
“And strike them for it when they are ten years old.”
❖ If Physical Discipline Also Fails
If, despite all efforts, the sons still do not observe prayer, then:
✿ The parents should inform the responsible authorities so that they may take suitable measures to ensure prayer observance.
✿ Remaining silent in this matter is impermissible, as it would be considered approval of evil.
❖ The Seriousness of Abandoning Prayer
✿ One who abandons prayer is considered a disbeliever and outside the fold of Islam.
✿ Such a person is destined for eternal Hellfire.
✿ Upon his death:
◈ It is not permissible to give him the funeral bath.
◈ His funeral prayer should not be performed.
◈ He should not be buried in a Muslim graveyard.
❖ Supplication
We ask Allah ﷻ to protect us and our progeny from this trial.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
