Is It Permissible to Remove a Child from a Row in Salah? A Complete Shariah Explanation
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Question
Is it permissible to move a child from his place in a prayer row?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
The correct view is that it is not permissible to remove a child from his place in a row, because in a hadith narrated by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA), the Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يُقِيْمُ الرَّجُلُ الرَّجُلَ مِنْ مَقْعَدِهِ ثُمَّ يَجْلِسَ فِيهِ»
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Isti’dhan, Hadith 6269; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salam, Hadith 2177)
Translation:
“A man should not make another man get up from his place and then sit in it himself.”
Explanation of the Issue
❀ Removing a child from the row is unjust, as it takes away his rightful place.
❀ It causes emotional hurt to the child, which may lead to negative feelings toward prayer.
❀ Such behavior may distance the child from Salah and make him reluctant to come to the mosque.
❀ It could also instill feelings of resentment or jealousy towards other Muslims.
What if all children are moved to the last row?
❀ If all children are moved to the last row, they may end up gathered together.
❀ This could increase the likelihood of them playing and making noise in the mosque.
❀ Therefore, if there is a real concern of disturbance or inappropriate behavior, separating children in different rows is permissible.
❀ In such a case, placing them in different rows is better so they maintain discipline during prayer.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
