Bringing Children To The Masjid

Q1) There are parents who bring their children between the ages of 2-4 years old to the Masjid. As is children’s nature, they talk loudly, play with each other and run around in the Jamaat Khana while Salaah in progress. Also, some boys between 9 and 12 stand in the adult rows but due to lack of knowledge or maturity, they will make lots of movements (fidgeting with hands or head) during the Salaah. Is there any age limit for children to attend Salaah in Masajid?

A1) The Hadith prohibits us from bringing young children to the Masaajid, who will disturb the congregation while in Salaah. Therefore, when a child reaches an age of understanding, only then should he be brought to the Masaajid.

Q2) Is it acceptable to bring children in diapers to the Masjid?

A2) Children who are in diapers should not be brought to the Masjid.

وَيَحْرُمُ إدْخَالُ صِبْيَانٍ وَمَجَانِينَ حَيْثُ غَلَبَ تَنْجِيسُهُمْ وَإِلَّا فَيُكْرَهُ

(قَوْلُهُ وَيَحْرُمُ إلَخْ) لِمَا أَخْرَجَهُ الْمُنْذِرِيُّ مَرْفُوعًا “جَنِّبُوا مَسَاجِدَكُمْ صِبْيَانَكُمْ وَمَجَانِينَكُمْ, وَبَيْعَكُمْ وَشِرَاءَكُمْ, وَرَفْعَ أَصْوَاتِكُمْ, وَسَلَّ سُيُوفِكُمْ, وَإِقَامَةَ حُدُودِكُمْ, وَجَمِّرُوهَا فِي الْجُمَعِ, وَاجْعَلُوا عَلَى أَبْوَابِهَا الْمَطَاهِرَ” بَحْرٌ.

(رد المحتار على الدر المختار 1/656)

حَدَّثَنَا مُؤَمَّلُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، – يَعْنِي الْيَشْكُرِيَّ – حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ سَوَّارٍ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ، – قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَهُوَ سَوَّارُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ أَبُو حَمْزَةَ الْمُزَنِيُّ الصَّيْرَفِيُّ – عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مُرُوا أَوْلاَدَكُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَاضْرِبُوهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ عَشْرِ سِنِينَ وَفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ ‏”‏ ‏.

(سنن ابي داوود 495)‏

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali

Date: 02 Dhul Hijjah 1447 / 20 May 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb