Bringing a three year-old child to the Masjid

Question:-

My son is three years old and is sometimes with me when it is time for Salaah. I have no option but to take him with me to the Masjid, as there is no one at home to look after him.
I then stand at the end of the Saff in the Masjid and put him next to me whilst reading Salaah. I know that children should read Salaah at the back of the Masjid. However, my son is only three and is very clingy to me. I am also afraid that if I leave him on his own at the back, he could get up to mischief.

Answer:-

Shari’ah has emphasized on the importance of respecting the Masjid so that the sanctity of the Masjid may be maintained. The Kitaabs of Fiqh state that it is Makrooh to bring little children to the Masjid. Infants, toddlers and little children cause a disturbance to other congregants and sometimes, even soil the Masjid, hence, a three year-old child should not be brought to the Masjid for Salaah. You should, therefore, perform your Salaah at home with some brother/s in the locality so that you may also enjoy the virtue of performing Salaah with Jamaat until suitable arrangements are made for your child.[1]

[1]( الدر المختار شرح تنوير الأبصار وجامع البحار (ص: 89)

ويحرم إدخال صبيان ومجانين حيث غلب تنجيسهم، وإلا فيكره

اللباب في الجمع بين السنة والكتاب (1/ 320)

( وتعرض المسجد للنجاسات) لا معنى له، ولهذا أمر النبي [صلى الله عليه وسلم] أن يجنب الصبيان المساجد وإلى هذا ذهب مالك رحمه الله

كتاب النوازل ج١٣ ص٥١٠

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 30 Rajab 1444 / 21 February 2023