Is it permissible for a child who has not reached puberty, yet memorizes the Quran and possesses knowledge of the religion, to lead people in prayer (imamah) and deliver the Friday sermon (khutbah)?

Scholars have differed regarding the imamate of a discerning child. The Shafi'is and some of the Salaf held the view that his imamate is permissible absolutely, in both obligatory and supererogatory prayers, citing the hadith of 'Amr ibn Salama as proof. Conversely, the majority of jurists (the Hanafis, Malikis, and Hanbalis) maintained that his imamate is not permissible in obligatory prayers, but only permissible in supererogatory prayers, or not permissible at all according to the Hanafis.

The more preponderant view is the validity of the discerning child's imamate if he performs the prayer well. This is the choice of Ibn Baz and Ibn 'Uthaymeen. However, an adult is more deserving if he is a reciter. If his imamate is permissible, then his khutbah (sermon) is valid if he delivers it well and fulfills its pillars.

As for Qunut in Fajr prayer, the Sunnah is for it to be recited during calamities that befall Muslims, in all prayers, and it is not specific to Fajr prayer.

Finally, it is advised not to rush in presenting a child on satellite channels or pushing him towards imamate and khutbah. Instead, he should be taught beneficial knowledge, disciplined in good deeds, and entrusted to scholars to be raised according to the scientific methodology. This is to avoid envy and the love of appearing prominent, which might corrupt the child.