How can a 10-year-old and 3-month-old son be encouraged to love prayer and be convinced to perform the Sunnahs, given concerns that current pressure tactics may lead to his aversion to acts of worship, and is now the appropriate time to oblige him to perform Fajr prayer at its prescribed time?

The Wise Lawgiver (Allah) commanded the guardians of children to raise their offspring upon virtuous morals and the performance of acts of worship, by accustoming them to prayer. This is based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, and beat them for it when they are ten, and separate them in their beds."

It is necessary to instill love for prayer in the child, mention its virtues and status, and accustom him to sleeping early so he can perform the Fajr prayer.

If methods of encouragement are ineffective, he may be lightly beaten for the obligatory prayer if beating is beneficial. Beating is not prescribed if it is not beneficial. Discipline should only be resorted to after exhausting all other means.