Is it obligatory for children to return the salam?

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : It may be said that it is obligatory, because this involves a right that is not absent. It may also be said that it is not obligatory, because they are not subject to religious obligations. However, there is no doubt that they know it. So even if we say it is not obligatory, they should be taught and commanded to return it.

The questioner : Yes, Fuhd.

The Shaykh : What?

The questioner : Reaching the age of maturity.

The Shaykh : The boy here means the one who has not reached puberty.

The questioner : He does not get upset. Ha? The one who does not get upset.

The Shaykh : The small child does not understand. He understands. You did not understand "As-salamu alaykum," so they understand it as something else. The salam in a language other than Arabic. Yes, some people now teach their child to say "bye-bye." So if you do not teach him this, that one may teach him that.