The ruling on taking children to the mosques, and what is the age considered for a child whom it is permissible to take?
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The questioner:
Sabeer from Riyadh, please, Sabeer. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. May Allah welcome you with goodness. Please, may Allah preserve you. Regarding whether there is a specific age for children entering the mosques, a specific age, I mean, and is there evidence that it is necessary for a child to be of a specific age to enter the mosque? Okay, thank you, Shaykh Sabeer, may Allah bless you. Is there a specific age for children entering the mosques? And also, what is the ruling on those who prevent the mosques from being in the first row, Shaykh Salih?
The Shaykh:
Children are of two categories. The children who have reached the age of discernment are commanded to pray, they are brought to the mosques, and they are kept from playing around so that they become accustomed to praying with the congregation and become accustomed to respecting the mosques and attending with the Muslims. As for those who have not reached the age of discernment, they are not brought to the mosque except when there is a need. If there is a fear of them getting lost, their guardian brings them with him and keeps them in check.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)Bulugh al-Maram 2:91 used to do so. If there are guards present to protect them and ensure their safety, then there is no harm in that. Yes.
The questioner:
May Allah reward you, meaning there is no specific age, Shaykh, for them to enter, Shaykh Salih?
The Shaykh:
The age of discernment is seven. It is prescribed for them to enter and pray with the Muslims at this age. As for those below the age of discernment, they are brought for their protection if there is a fear for them, and their guardian keeps them in check. Yes.
Sabeer from Riyadh, please, Sabeer. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. May Allah welcome you with goodness. Please, may Allah preserve you. Regarding whether there is a specific age for children entering the mosques, a specific age, I mean, and is there evidence that it is necessary for a child to be of a specific age to enter the mosque? Okay, thank you, Shaykh Sabeer, may Allah bless you. Is there a specific age for children entering the mosques? And also, what is the ruling on those who prevent the mosques from being in the first row, Shaykh Salih?
The Shaykh:
Children are of two categories. The children who have reached the age of discernment are commanded to pray, they are brought to the mosques, and they are kept from playing around so that they become accustomed to praying with the congregation and become accustomed to respecting the mosques and attending with the Muslims. As for those who have not reached the age of discernment, they are not brought to the mosque except when there is a need. If there is a fear of them getting lost, their guardian brings them with him and keeps them in check.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was (one time) offering prayer while he was carrying Umama, daughter of Zainab, when he prostrated he put her down and when he stood up he lifted her up.
صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي وهو يحمل أمامة بنت زينب ابنته فإذا سجد وضعها وإذا قام حملهاThe questioner:
May Allah reward you, meaning there is no specific age, Shaykh, for them to enter, Shaykh Salih?
The Shaykh:
The age of discernment is seven. It is prescribed for them to enter and pray with the Muslims at this age. As for those below the age of discernment, they are brought for their protection if there is a fear for them, and their guardian keeps them in check. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، حكم اصطحاب الأطفال إلى المساجد، وما السن المعتبر للطفل الذي يجوز اصطحابه؟ لشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.