The Ruling on Children Standing in the Rows of Prayer

Question: May Allah grant you goodness. The questioner asks: Is it correct for a child, whether a boy or a girl, to stand in the row alongside the people praying behind the imam? Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhayli: If the child has reached the age of discernment (mumayyiz), then he is instructed to pray. Since he is instructed to pray — meaning that his guardian must command him to pray — his standing in the row does not cause any harm, and he should not be moved back from the row. So, suppose a boy who has not yet reached puberty, but has reached the age of discernment, comes and stands behind the imam. Is an adult allowed to move him back and take his place, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “Let those among you who are mature and possess understanding stand closest to me.” The scholars of fiqh differed regarding this matter. Some scholars said that this hadith indicates that this position is designated for mature and understanding men, and not for children. Therefore, the child has no right to that position and may be moved back from it. Other scholars said that this is an instruction for mature and understanding men to come forward to this position; it does not mean that the position belongs exclusively to them. Therefore, if a child gets there first, he should not be moved back. In my view, the latter opinion is closer to what is correct. However, the child may be moved back if the imam needs someone to assist him, such as someone who can prompt him if he makes a mistake in his recitation, or take his place if necessary. In this case, moving the child back serves the interests of the prayer, so he may be moved to make room for that person. As for a child who has not reached the age of discernment, he is not even required to pray in the first place. The four schools of Fiqh are generally of the view that such a child breaks the row, like a pillar and similar obstacles. Therefore, he should not be placed in the row. Rather, it is preferable not to bring such a child to the masjid in the first place. However, bringing him to the masjid is permissible and there is no harm in doing so. He should simply not be placed in the row unless there is a concern for/from him. There may be a concern for the child himself, such as the fear that he might wander off and get lost. Alternatively, there may be a concern arising from the child himself: if he is moved back to stand with other children of his age, they may play, make noises and distract the people praying. So, what am I saying? It is disliked to place a child who has not reached the age of discernment in the row. However, if there is a need to do so, the dislike no longer applies. Source: https://t.me/masjidsahabah/2536 #Tarbiyah@masjidsahabah