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 young boy leading adults in prayer, especially if a person enters the mosque after the first prayer has ended and sees a group of boys? Does he pray with them, or what does he do?

Answer:
It is correct that a boy of discernment is more valid as an imam; this is the correct position. The hadith of 'Umar ibn al-Salamah states that he used to pray with 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 them in prayer, and he was 'Umar ibn al-Salamah. This was during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The fact that the legislation was not repeated and he was not ordered to repeat it indicates its validity, but there is no doubt that an adult is more preferable if he is available and present.