How can children aged three and fourteen be dealt with to wake them up for Fajr prayer, and is it permissible to hit them for this purpose?
It is permissible to hit children after the age of ten if they neglect prayer, provided that the hitting is controlled by the guidelines, and it does not have a specific age limit; rather, the criterion is its effectiveness.
Some jurists mentioned that the obligation for the father to hit is before the child reaches puberty. It is advisable to vary the methods of inviting children to prayer, by offering encouragement, motivation, and reward over intimidation, and instilling the meanings of faith. Sufyan was asked about hitting children for prayer, and he said: "Rather, bribe them." Al-Lakhmi said: This is good for those who are able; otherwise, they should be hit after attempting [other methods], and this is a protection from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so that they may become accustomed to it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/185040
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 185040
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy