The leading of a discerning child in prayer for adults

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, what is the stronger position regarding a child leading adults in prayer, especially if a person enters the mosque after the first prayer has ended and sees a group of boys? Should he pray with them, or what should he do?

Answer:
It is correct that a discerning child is the most valid imam; this is the correct view. The hadith of 'Umar ibn al-Salamah is sound, that he used to pray for his companions because he was the one among them who had memorized the most of the Qur'an, so they put him forward to lead the prayer. This was during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), during the period of legislation, and he was not ordered to do it as a custom, but rather as a page (attendant). However, there is no doubt that an adult, or if one is available and found, or if not...