BENEFIT: Is It Permissible to Pray Behind an Imam Who Is Ten Years Old?

Question: If I enter the masjid after missing the prayer and find some young children praying in congregation, with an imam who is about ten years old, should I pray with them? Sheikh Ibn Baz rahimahullah: Yes, pray with them. It is permissible for the imam to be ten years old, or younger or older. It has been authentically reported that the Companion ʿAmr ibn Salamah led his companions in prayer when he was seven years old because he had memorised more of the Qur’an than them. So there is nothing wrong with the imam being below the age of puberty, such as being ten, eight, eleven, or a similar age. Being legally accountable is not a condition for leading the prayer. What matters is that he performs the prayer correctly and recites correctly. Therefore, if you find an imam who has not yet reached the age of legal accountability leading the people in prayer, pray with them. Do not say, “He is only a child.” It has been authentically reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari that ʿAmr ibn Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated from the Prophet ﷺ that he said: “When the time for prayer comes, let one of you give the adhan, and let the one among you who has the most Qur’an lead you in prayer.” He said: “They looked among their people and did not find anyone who had more Qur’an than me, so they put me forward to lead them while I was six or seven years old.” This narration is understood to mean that he was seven, because the Messenger ﷺ said: “Command your children to pray when they are seven, and discipline them regarding it when they are ten.” Therefore, the youngest age at which a person may lead the prayer and be commanded to pray and perform ablution is seven and above. This authentic hadith is evidence for that. Yes. Source: https://t.me/masjidsahabah/2496