The Criterion for Bringing Children to the Mosque
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Your Eminence! Some people have become accustomed to bringing their young children to the mosque, those who are four years old or younger, or older, who disturb the worshippers. What is the criterion for bringing children to the mosque, may Allah preserve you?
The distinguishing criterion is that the one who has reached the age of discernment attends the mosque. Children differ in reaching discernment; some reach it at five years old, some at six, and some at seven, which is the most common. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to order our children to pray at the age of seven. And even so, if one brings older children and they cause disturbance, he should be spoken to and told: Either you keep your children in check, or you watch over them yourself.
The distinguishing criterion is that the one who has reached the age of discernment attends the mosque. Children differ in reaching discernment; some reach it at five years old, some at six, and some at seven, which is the most common. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to order our children to pray at the age of seven. And even so, if one brings older children and they cause disturbance, he should be spoken to and told: Either you keep your children in check, or you watch over them yourself.