Question: Some people bring to the mosque their children who have not reached the age of understanding nor have they perfected their prayer. They stand with the people in line some of them play frivolously and disturb those around them. What is the ruling on this? And what is your advice to the guardians of these children?
Answer: I am of the opinion that it is not permissible to take children who disturb worshipers to the mosque, because it is annoying for the Muslims who are performing an Obligation from the obligations of Allaah. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] heard some of his companions praying aloud and he said: "Do not raise your voices above one another in reading". In another hadith he said, "Do not annoy each another" Hence, it is not permissible for a person to do anything that annoys other worshipers.
My advice to the guardians of these children is not to bring them to the mosque and to follow the guidance of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] who said; "Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old" [Abu Dawud]
Likewise, I advise the congregation to widen their hearts towards the children that are allowed to come to the mosques [i.e seven and above] and not to be hard on them or force them from their place which they have preceded to. For whosoever precedes to something, then he is more deserving of it, whether he is a child or an adult. For in removing the children from their places in the rows there is:
Firstly: The encroachment on their rights, for whosoever precedes to something which no other Muslim has surpassed him to, is more deserving of it.
Secondly: The driving them away from the mosques.
Thirdly: The harbouring of the child hatred and despise for the one who forces him from the space he occupied. Fourthly: The gathering of the children in one area, thus leading to their frivolity and disturbance of the people in the mosque.
This would not occur if they had been between grown-up people.
This question was answered by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen He was born in Unaiza, Saudi Arabia in 1347 A.H. A respected and well grounded scholar. Hr taught at Muhammad bn Saud Islamic University. Qaseem branch. He died in 1421 A. H.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited