Fatwa

Father leading Salah with his children who are minor

Question

I wanted to find out. Is it permissible for a father to lead salah with his children if they dont understand fully how to pray yet but if it means leading salah teaches them how to pray.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It is permissible and highly encouraged for a father to lead his minor children in salah to teach them. While leading them is a virtuous educational effort, the father should prioritize performing his own Fardh Salah at the Masjid. The ideal approach is for the father to complete his Fardh Salah in the Masjid and then return home to lead his children in Sunan and Nawafil Salah(voluntary). This ensures the father fulfills his communal obligation while providing a practical, demonstration for his children.[1]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Ikraam Gangat

Concurred by
Mufti Bilal Pandor

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com

[1] بدائع الصنائع (٦٦٥/١ دار الكتب العلمية)

وأما بيان من تنعقد به الجماعة، فأقل من تنعقد به الجماعة اثنان، وهو أن يكون مع الإمام واحد؛ لقول النبي ﷺ: «الاثنان فما فوقهما جماعة» ولأن الجماعة مأخوذة من الاجتماع، وأقل ما يتحقق به الاجتماع اثنان، وسواء كان ذلك الواحد رجلاً أو امرأة أو صبياً يعقل؛ لأن النبي ﷺ سمى الاثنين مطلقاً جماعة؛ ولحصول معنى الاجتماع بانضمام كل واحد من هؤلاء إلى الإمام.