What is the obligation of Muslims regarding children who make noise in the mosques? And is it permissible to break the prayer or turn around to prevent them from doing so?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, sometimes there is disturbance in the mosque from some of the boys. Is it permissible for any of the ma'mum (those praying behind the imam) to break his prayer to prevent that, or should he simply turn around to identify them and then discipline them afterwards?
The Shaykh : First, it is obligatory for the guardians of these boys to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not to allow their boys to attend as long as they are playing and fooling around. If it happens that these boys come without their fathers' knowledge, as is the case sometimes, then it is obligatory to say to his father, if he is present, "So-and-so, take him to your family." If we are unable to repel their harm except by removing them from the mosque, we remove them.
As for breaking the prayer for that reason, it is not permissible. Because when a person enters into an obligatory prayer, it is obligatory for him to complete it, and the disturbance of these boys does not lead to the invalidation of the other people's prayers. If it did lead to the invalidation of the other people's prayers, the issue would be a matter for consideration, but it does not lead to the invalidation of the other people's prayers. So let them be patient until the prayer ends, then they should identify these boys and contact their fathers.
The questioner : Turning around, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Turning around out of necessity is permissible, but the turning should be with the face only, not with the whole body.
The questioner : Boys between seven years old and above, they are not small children.
The Shaykh : These can perhaps be corrected by gently admonishing them, and saying, "My sons, this is not permissible, and this is the House of Allah, and these are your fathers and brothers, do not disturb them and do not ruin their prayer for them."
The questioner : Shaykh, is turning around like the taslim (closing salam)?
The Shaykh : No, one question.
The questioner : Turning around in the manner of the taslim?
The Shaykh : Turning around with the face only.
The questioner : Like the taslim, meaning?
The Shaykh : No, the taslim involves turning the body somewhat, because the person behind is not seen except by turning part of the body, yes.
The Shaykh : First, it is obligatory for the guardians of these boys to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not to allow their boys to attend as long as they are playing and fooling around. If it happens that these boys come without their fathers' knowledge, as is the case sometimes, then it is obligatory to say to his father, if he is present, "So-and-so, take him to your family." If we are unable to repel their harm except by removing them from the mosque, we remove them.
As for breaking the prayer for that reason, it is not permissible. Because when a person enters into an obligatory prayer, it is obligatory for him to complete it, and the disturbance of these boys does not lead to the invalidation of the other people's prayers. If it did lead to the invalidation of the other people's prayers, the issue would be a matter for consideration, but it does not lead to the invalidation of the other people's prayers. So let them be patient until the prayer ends, then they should identify these boys and contact their fathers.
The questioner : Turning around, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Turning around out of necessity is permissible, but the turning should be with the face only, not with the whole body.
The questioner : Boys between seven years old and above, they are not small children.
The Shaykh : These can perhaps be corrected by gently admonishing them, and saying, "My sons, this is not permissible, and this is the House of Allah, and these are your fathers and brothers, do not disturb them and do not ruin their prayer for them."
The questioner : Shaykh, is turning around like the taslim (closing salam)?
The Shaykh : No, one question.
The questioner : Turning around in the manner of the taslim?
The Shaykh : Turning around with the face only.
The questioner : Like the taslim, meaning?
The Shaykh : No, the taslim involves turning the body somewhat, because the person behind is not seen except by turning part of the body, yes.