Leading Prayer as a Child: Validity and Guidelines
Question: A sister asks if her six-year-old son, who loves to lead the congregational prayer, can lead the family in prayer. If he leads, will our prayer be valid?
Answer: If the child is capable of leading the prayer, knows the appropriate prayers and supplications, and can perform the prayer correctly according to the Sunnah, then the six-year-old son can occasionally lead the prayer at home, and the mother’s prayer behind him will be valid. However, as a male, the boy should generally be encouraged to attend the mosque and pray with other men. Additionally, if the child is not able to perform the prayer correctly according to the Sunnah, then he should not be made the Imam, as neither his prayer nor the prayers of those following him would be valid. In this case, it is advised to teach the child how to pray correctly under the guidance of a scholar.
✍ Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (Hafizahullaah)
Jeddah Dawah Center – As-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia