Chapter on the Hajj of Children

"If a man takes his young child for Hajj, he instructs him to recite the Talbiyah and obligates the Hajj upon him. If the child cannot recite the Talbiyah properly, the father recites it on his behalf. The child is carried for Tawaf, and prayers are performed on his behalf." I asked: "What if they do not have the means to slaughter (an animal) on his behalf?" Imam (as) said: "An animal is slaughtered for the children, while the adults fast. The same restrictions of Ihram regarding clothing and fragrance apply to the child. However, if the child kills game, the liability falls upon the father."

Abu Abdullah (as) was asked: "From where are the children stripped (for Ihram)?" Imam (as) said: "My father (as) used to strip them at Fakh."

I said to Abu Abdullah (as): "I have young children with me, and I fear the cold for them. From where should they enter the state of Ihram?" Imam (as) said: "Take them to Al-‘Arj, and let them enter Ihram from there, for when you reach Al-‘Arj, you will have entered Tihamah." Then Imam (as) added: "If you still fear for them, take them to Al-Juhfah."

"Look at the children who are with you. Take them to Al-Juhfah or Batn Marr, and treat them as you would treat those in the state of Ihram. Perform Tawaf for them, throw (the pebbles) on their behalf, and if they cannot offer the sacrifice, their guardian should fast on their behalf. Imam Ali ibn Al-Husayn (as) used to place the knife in the child's hand, then an adult would hold the child's hand to perform the slaughter."

"It is incumbent upon him to offer the sacrifice on their behalf." I said: "What if he gave them dirhams, and some of them offered the sacrifice while others kept the dirhams and chose to fast?" Imam (as) said: "It is sufficient for them, and he has the choice to leave it as is if he wishes." Imam (as) further said: "If he had commanded them to fast instead, it would have sufficed for them."

I asked Abu al-Hasan (as) about a ten-year-old boy performing Hajj. Imam (as) said: "The Hajj of Islam becomes obligatory upon him if he reaches puberty, and likewise for a girl—it becomes obligatory upon her when she begins menstruating."

I asked Abu Ja'far al-Thani, Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) about when a child should be entered into the state of Ihram. Imam (as) said: "When they begin to grow teeth."

I heard Abu Abdullah (as) say: "If a child is taken for Hajj, it does not fulfill the Hajj of Islam when they grow up. Similarly, if a servant is taken for Hajj, it does not fulfill the Hajj of Islam until they are freed."