Children standing in the Sufuf
Question:-
What is the ruling in regards to children standing in the Sufoof amongst the adults? Should the child be moved from the Saff? Should they be standing at the rear?
Answer:-
The Fuqaha have written that, if there are a number of Na-Baaligh children attending the congregational Salaah, then they should form a Saff behind the adults. However, if there is a single Na-Baaligh child in the congregation and there is space remaining in the Saff of the adults, then he is permitted to join the adult Saff and perform his Salaah therein. He shouldn’t be standing alone in the Saff at the rear.
ويصفّ الرجال ثم الصبيان ظاهره تعددهم فلو واحدا دخل الصف (الدر االمختار ص384 ج1)
وان لم يكن جمع من الصبيان يقوم الصبي بين الرجال (طحطاوي علي مراقي الفلاح ص168)
However, if a Na-Baaligh child stands in the Saff of the adults, then the Salaah of the adults will not be affected in anyway, even though there may be a Saff for children already formed in the Masjid.
The adult should not move the child once he has commenced Salaah. He may perform his Salaah next to him.
اور جماعت شروع ہونے کے بعد جو نئے آنے والے نمازی بچوں کی صف کے پیچھے یا کچھ بچے بڑوں کی صف میں دائیں بائیں کھڑے ہوجائیں ، تو اس سے دیگر نمازیوں کی نماز میں کوئی خلل نہیں پڑتا فتاوی دار العلوم ص۳۴۲ ج۳
ويحرم إدخال صبيان ومجانين حيث غلب تنجيسهم وإلا فيكره (الدر االمختار ص429 ج2)