Standing of Children Without Distinction in the Prayer Row

Question:
Our question is this, Honorable Shaykh: The questioner asks whether children who are below the age of discernment, if they stand in the row during prayer, do they break the prayer or break the row?

Answer:
Those below the age of discernment, meaning below the age of seven, are not to be in the row because they do not have a prayer. The prayer is valid only for the one who has reached the age of discernment, who is seven years old; his prayer is valid and he stands in the row. As for the child, he does not stand in the row; his prayer is not valid. He may cause harm to the worshippers or defile the mosque. Therefore, the guardians of the children, when they bring them to the mosque, should keep them away from