Can a teacher strike a student for the purpose of education and reform, given that there are students under the age of ten?

The questioner : Is it permissible for a teacher to strike a student for the purpose of education and reform, knowing that there are students who are younger than ten years old?

The Shaykh : Are they younger than ten?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : I do not think so; because we often mention this on the occasion of his saying (peace be upon him): , and prayer—as you know—is one of the greatest practical pillars of the religion. If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not permit striking children and boys for the sake of this great pillar of Islam if they have not reached the age of ten, then striking for something less important than prayer is not permissible. It is not part of the Islamic educational system to educate children who have not reached this age—the age of ten—by striking. However, if they pass that age, it is permissible. But for whom is it permissible? This also requires attention. It is permissible for one who follows this Prophetic methodology; . Many fathers neglect this, either due to their ignorance or their disregard for this Prophetic methodology of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They live for a period with their children without ordering them to pray when they are seven years old. The child lives like this, neglecting prayer, not knowing its value, not attending the congregation with the Muslims, and so on, until he enters the age of ten. Then the second stage comes, and he does not strike him; because the first stage, which is more important than the second, is easier—I meant to say—easier than the second stage, which is a kind word directed to his son or sons. When the age of ten arrives, he may begin to strike. This is a mistake; because this striking should have been preceded by admonition, reminder, and following up with the boy by ordering him.
The Shaykh: And some of them also do not use striking even in the second stage; until the boy reaches the age of maturity and legal responsibility, and a year or more has passed and he does not pray. Here the father becomes angry with his son and is at a loss as to what to do with him; because the son has grown to his father's height, and the father has to calculate that if he punishes him by striking, the son might strike back at his father. So he takes it hard, regrets it, complains, fidgets, complains, and says: I do not know what to do with this son of mine; because he has gone out of my obedience, no longer listens to my words, and does not pray with us, and so on? It is said to this person: "In the summer you wasted the milk!" This is an old Arabic proverb. It was incumbent upon you to follow this Prophetic methodology; leave the child to his ease until the age of seven.
The Shaykh: And here also I say: It is not befitting to order the child to pray directly before the age of seven; because we must evaluate and assess the orders of the Messenger (peace be upon him) with the assessment these orders deserve. His saying (peace be upon him): The specification of seven is not in vain, so it is not permissible to order your child to pray when he is six or five or between that or less. It is not permissible; because the Messenger timed this timing. Just as it is not permissible to strike before the age of ten, so it is not permissible to order before the age of seven. Yes, if the small child begins to participate with his parents in prayer with action and eagerness from himself, this is one of the signs of good. But if it is said to him: "Get up, my son, perform wudu, get up and pray," and he has not yet reached the age of seven, this is contrary to the order of the Messenger (peace be upon him). Likewise, striking him before the age of ten. Likewise, striking him for something other than prayer is even more impermissible; because this striking is only permissible as an educational means if he enters the age of ten. And I firmly believe that if the father proceeds with his son according to this methodology in educating his children, they will result in what pleases Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and His Messenger; because these are lawful causes that will bear their fruit and harvest ripe and gathered. But if the father or mother neglects one of these stages, then at that time the troubles and problems begin.
The Shaykh: In short: striking is not one of the educational means except according to this noble Prophetic methodology.

The questioner : An addition to the question, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh : Yes?

The questioner : An addition to the question, a clarification?

The Shaykh: Go ahead.