I take my young brother to the mosque sometimes; is that permissible, given that he does not disturb the worshippers?
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The questioner : I take my young brother to the mosque sometimes; is that permissible, given that he does not disturb the worshippers?
The Shaykh : If this child is of discernment, then taking him to the mosque is desirable, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan ad-Daraqutni 3:5 But if he is not of discernment, it is better not to take him, because he will not be free from mischief, and he might urinate in the mosque, or he might pass wind, which would annoy the worshippers.
And if you take him when he is of discernment, keep him with you, that is, beside you, so that he does not play in the mosque. In this case, no one has the right to push the boy out of his place in the row, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Also, driving the young ones out of the front row turns them away from the mosque, makes people dislike the man who drove them out, disturbs those present in the mosque, and leads to mischief, because when the young ones are crowded together, their playing and mischief increase.
There is no evidence indicating that the young ones should be driven out of the front row. As for the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Mishkat al-Masabih 1088 The wording of the hadith is: Mishkat al-Masabih 1088.
It does not say, "Let no one stand next to me except those of intellect." If the wording of the hadith were, "Let no one stand next to me except those of intellect," we would say: Yes, drive the young ones out of the front row. But the hadith contains a command for those of intellect and understanding to move forward and be among those who stand next to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The difference between the two wordings is clear.
The Shaykh : If this child is of discernment, then taking him to the mosque is desirable, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Command your children to pray at the age of seven, and beat them for it at the age of ten.
مروا صبيانكم بالصلاة لسبع واضربوهم عليها لعشرAnd if you take him when he is of discernment, keep him with you, that is, beside you, so that he does not play in the mosque. In this case, no one has the right to push the boy out of his place in the row, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Whoever takes a place before a Muslim has taken it, he has the greater right to it.
من سبق إلى ما لم يسبق إليه مسلم فهو أحق بهThere is no evidence indicating that the young ones should be driven out of the front row. As for the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Let those of you who are sedate and prudent be near me
ليلني منكم أولوا الأحلام والنهىLet those of you who are sedate and prudent be near me
ليلني منكم أولوا الأحلام والنهىIt does not say, "Let no one stand next to me except those of intellect." If the wording of the hadith were, "Let no one stand next to me except those of intellect," we would say: Yes, drive the young ones out of the front row. But the hadith contains a command for those of intellect and understanding to move forward and be among those who stand next to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The difference between the two wordings is clear.