Is it better to require children to enter the state of ihram, or to leave them out?

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, regarding the ihram of young children under the age of ten, do we require them to enter ihram with us, or do we leave them?

Answer:
They are given the choice. If it is easy for you, it is better to have them enter ihram, to command them to enter ihram, to keep them away from the prohibitions of ihram, and to perform the rites for them with you. This is better, because a woman asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about this, and she said: Is this a Hajj for me?
He said: Yes, and you will have a reward. If you want the reward, you enter ihram with them. This means that if they are boys, you strip them of sewn garments, dress them in an izar and a rida, keep them away from the prohibitions, and then perform the rites with them exactly as you do. Either they walk with you if they are able to walk, or you carry them during the tawaf and sa'y, you shorten their hair, and you receive the reward. It is a voluntary act for them, and you have a reward in it. However, if this is difficult for you, it is not obligatory. Yes.