Is it permissible for a father to hit his children over the age of ten for abandoning congregational prayer, or is hitting only for abandoning prayer in general, and what should the father do if the child insists on praying at home?

There is no objection to a father lightly striking his son if he reaches the age of ten for abandoning congregational prayer, by analogy with striking him for abandoning prayer in general, in order to accustom him to it. Jurists have used as evidence for this the hadith: "Teach your children to pray when they are seven, and strike them for it when they are ten..." Jurists have also stipulated the permissibility of striking a minor as a deterrent from bad manners and as a means of correction. However, the striking should be light and not injurious, and it should be the last resort after encouragement, discouragement, and praying for his guidance.