What is the ruling on striking children before they reach the age of discernment, and how should one act if he hears them saying words of shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

The questioner : The questioner asks: What is the ruling on striking children up to the age of four? And how should one deal with them when they say phrases of shirk (associating partners with Allah) or kufr (disbelief) at this age?

The Shaykh : Yes. These children are struck according to their condition as a form of discipline. This is what custom has established. However, it is obligatory that we show mercy to children. Children are small; their minds are small. We must show them mercy, be compassionate toward them, and treat them as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) treated his companions. Do you not know that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to lead people in prayer while carrying a small girl? He would carry her when he stood and put her down when he prostrated, while leading people in prayer. Do you do this? Answer. No. But we say: do this. There is no blame on a person who prays as an imam while carrying his daughter and silencing her, just as the best of people (peace and blessings be upon him) did. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was prostrating one day when either al-Hasan or al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both) came to him while he was prostrating and rode on his back, treating it as what? As a mount. Yes, so he lengthened his prostration. When he finished his prayer, he informed the Companions, saying: . May Allah send blessings and peace upon him. This is the gentleness, and these are small children. Some people now, may Allah guide us and them, when a small child enters the door while people are sitting, they say, "Go, go." Let him come. If he comes to play, let him play. You should give the boy his freedom so that he does not become psychologically troubled, because if you accustom him to being restrained from the very beginning, he will become troubled. Let him come and play. He wants to come and play with his hands and feet. This does not contradict anything; there is no problem. The people present, do they take offense at you? Do the people present take offense at this boy? No. If there is no problem. For a child of four years, we may say it is not in the interest to strike him yet, as he has not yet accepted discipline. But if it is necessary, there is no harm, because people strike now even before the age of four. As for acts of worship, no, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specified striking for prayer at what? At ten. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.