عبد الله بن فضالة

He said: "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."

I heard him say: When a child reaches three years, the following is to be said to him seven times: “Say: there is no god but Allah (qul la ilaha illallah).” Then, he is left until he reaches three years and seven months and twenty days, when it is to be said to him seven times: “Say: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (muhammadun rasul allah).” Then, he is left until he reaches four years. Then, it is to be said to him seven times: “Say: The blessings of Allah are on Muhammad and his Family (sallallahu `ala muhammadiw wa alih).” Then, he is left until he reaches five years. Then, it is to be said to him: “Where is your right, and where is your left?” When he understands that, turn his face to the qibla and it is to be said to him: Prostrate. Then, he is left until he reaches six years. When he reaches six years, he prays, and he is to learn to bow and prostrate. Then, he is left until he reaches seven years. When he reaches seven years, it is to be said to him: Wash your face and your hands. When he washes them, it is said to him: Pray. Then, he is left until he reaches nine years. When he reaches nine years, teach him the knowledge of the ablution and make him fulfill it, and command him to pray and make him fulfill it. If he learns to make ablution and pray, Allah forgives his parents God-willingly.

Everything in this book that is narrated from Abdullah ibn Fadalah has been transmitted by me from Muhammad ibn Musa ibn Al-Mutawakkil - may Allah (swt) be pleased with him - from Ali ibn Al-Husayn Al-Sa'dabadi, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid, from his father, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from Bandar ibn Hammad, from Abdullah ibn Fadalah.