What is the ruling on striking children if they make a mistake? Is it permissible to strike a child or threaten them even if they are not a relative? What is the limit and manner of striking? Is it obligatory to educate oneself before punishing a child? Is one sinful if they punish and then it becomes clear to them that the child's action was not a mistake? And what is the expiation for that?
The authority to discipline through corporal punishment belongs to the parents, guardian, or teacher, with the permission of the child's guardian. This is subject to controls, including that it should not exceed ten strikes, or three, and it should be with the hand, not with a stick, and it should be a non-brutal striking that does not harm the child. It should only be resorted to if it is clearly in the child's best interest. Gentle and lenient discipline is better than harshness, and there are other means, such as depriving the child of things they love. As for guiding a young child for their benefit or deterring them from what harms them, this can be done by the general public.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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