The Age at Which Children Are Required to Pray

Hadith.861 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "We command our children to pray when they are five years old, so you should instruct your children to pray when they are seven years old. We also command our children to fast when they are seven years old, as much as they can bear of fasting for the day — whether it is until midday, more, or less. If thirst or hunger overwhelms them, they may break their fast so that they can gradually get accustomed to fasting and be able to bear it. So, instruct your children to fast when they are nine years old, as much as they are capable of fasting for the day. If thirst overwhelms them, they may break their fast."

I asked Imam al-Ridha (as), or he was asked while I was listening, about a man who circumcises his son, and the boy does not pray for a day or two." Imam (as) asked: "How old is the boy?" The response was, "Eight years old." Imam (as) said: "Glory be to Allah (swt)! He leaves prayer?" The narrator replied: "He is in pain." Imam (as) said: "He should pray to the extent that he is able."

"When a boy reaches the age of three, he should be instructed to say 'la illaha illa Allah (swt)' seven times. Then he is left until he completes three years, seven months, and twenty days, at which point he is instructed to say 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (sw)' seven times. He is then left until he reaches four years of age, after which he is instructed to say seven times, 'May Allah (swt) bless Muhammad and his family.' He is then left until he turns five years old and is asked: 'Which hand is your right and which is your left?' When he recognizes this, his face is turned toward the Qiblah, and he is told to prostrate. He is then left until he turns seven years old, at which point he is told to wash his face and hands. When he washes them, he is told to pray. He is then left until he reaches the age of nine. At nine, he is taught the proper way of performing ablution (wudu) and is disciplined for neglecting it. He is also instructed to perform prayer and disciplined for neglecting it. When he has learned wudu and prayer, Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic, forgives him and his parents, if Allah (swt) wills."