Is it permissible to hit children to discipline them?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to hit children to discipline them?
The Shaykh : My opinion on this is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him)Sunan Abi Dawud 495Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani) This hadith means that the educator, whether the father or the mother, does not have the right to hit his or her child for a very important matter, which is prayer, unless the child reaches the age of ten. Before that, the father should only use kind words at times, and words with a degree of firmness appropriate to the child's age at other times. As for hitting, it is not permissible until the child reaches the age of ten. This is what I understand from this hadith.
The questioner : The last brother's question might involve, for example, movements from the father that could be called hitting, but is that what you mean, Shaykh? For example, hitting on the back of the head or something simple for the sake of the discipline mentioned in the question? Is that the hitting you are referring to?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is it. Otherwise, if it is not simple, what would it be? Heavy? Heavy hitting is not permissible, a fortiori.
The Shaykh : My opinion on this is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him)
Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.
مروا أولادكم بالصلاة وهم أبناء سبع واضربوهم عليها وهم أبناء عشر وفرقوا بينهم في المضاجعThe questioner : The last brother's question might involve, for example, movements from the father that could be called hitting, but is that what you mean, Shaykh? For example, hitting on the back of the head or something simple for the sake of the discipline mentioned in the question? Is that the hitting you are referring to?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is it. Otherwise, if it is not simple, what would it be? Heavy? Heavy hitting is not permissible, a fortiori.
Source
www.al-albany.com
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