What is the ruling on a boy leading the prayer?

Scholars differ on the imamate of a child. Imam Al-Shafi'i permitted it, while Imam Malik disliked it for obligatory prayers but allowed it for supererogatory prayers. Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Ahmad permitted it for supererogatory prayers but not for obligatory prayers.

The evidence for those who permit it is the hadith of Amr ibn Salama, who led his people in prayer when he was six or seven years old. This is not contradicted by the hadith of Ibn Abbas, "A boy should not lead prayer until he reaches puberty," due to the weakness of its chain of narration. A boy should be put forward to lead prayer if he is the best reciter among the people.

Those who say that it is only permissible for supererogatory prayers responded by suggesting that Amr ibn Salama might have been leading them in a supererogatory prayer. However, this is refuted by the hadith itself, which mentions al-salat (the prayer), and this refers to obligatory prayer for several reasons: the unrestricted term al-salat generally refers to obligatory prayer, and the phrases "when the prayer is due" and "let one of you call the adhan" indicate the prescribed prayer for which the adhan is called. Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not command supererogatory prayers to be performed in congregation.

The preponderant opinion is the permissibility of a child leading both obligatory and supererogatory prayers if he is the best reciter among the people, based on the hadith of Amr ibn Salama, which confirms his imamate in an obligatory prayer.