Hadith on Teaching Children to Pray
Narrated by At-Tirmidhi in his Sahih:The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Command your children to pray when they reach the age of seven, and discipline them for neglecting it at the age of ten."
(Authentication & References:
- Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal: 3/404
- Abu Dawood: 494
- At-Tirmidhi: 407 (Tirmidhi stated that this Hadith is Hasan Sahih)
- Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hakim: 1/201
- Al-Hakim classified it as Sahih according to the conditions of Muslim, and Imam Dhahabi concurred with this assessment.
Key Lessons from This Hadith:
➊ Although children are not legally accountable (Mukallaf) in Islam, it is permissible and necessary to teach them Islamic rulings with strictness for proper upbringing.➋ Children should be encouraged to pray at the age of seven, and by the age of ten, their neglect of prayer should be strictly monitored. If necessary, disciplinary action should be taken.
However, disciplining a child does not mean excessive beating or harsh punishment. The child’s psychology must be considered while training them. Physical discipline should be minimal and only if required. Islam does not approve of constant scolding, deprivation of encouragement, or cruel punishments like exposing them to harsh conditions.
Likewise, overindulgence is also harmful. Excessive affection should not lead to children disrespecting their teachers, such as snatching objects from them or mocking them.
➌ The status of prayer is so high in Islam that even a child who neglects it at the age of ten can be disciplined as per Islamic teachings.
[This content is taken from Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath's book Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Imam bi Ahadith al-Ahkam, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.]
