How does a young child who cannot form an intention intend for Hajj?

The questioner : Yes, Salim. A young child does not form an intention. What is your opinion?

The Shaykh : His guardian intends on his behalf, but I see that in later times, children should not be taken for Hajj, meaning no intention should be made for them, because of the hardship it causes them and their guardian. The matter is not easy; the guardian is tired and the child is tired, and it is a matter that is not obligatory. So if this recommended act will interfere with his guardian’s performance of the obligatory act, he should not take him for Hajj.

The questioner : Connect, Shaykh. I was attacked by someone from the town of Khamsat al-‘Ashr.

The Shaykh : Yesterday, fifteen years old, how does he form the intention if he cannot form the intention?

The questioner : He does not deserve it, meaning.

The Shaykh : The boy is fifteen, he does not form an intention, he does not know how to intend.

The questioner : No, I felt, I felt.

The Shaykh : Does he not pray? Prayer is more important than Hajj. He is told to intend at the miqat, and it is said during the tawaf, and during the sa’y, and in everything. Also, if he reaches fifteen years of age, he is not called a child, but is called an adult, and Hajj becomes obligatory upon him.