Question:

Assalaamu ‘alaikum

Respected ‘Ulama

I have a nine year old son who has alhamdulilah been trying to read all his salaah. However, in the last year or few months, he has been reading very fast, basically just doing actions.

How do we, as parents, guide him with salaah?

Answer:

Bismihi Ta‘ala

Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

Respected Sister in Islam

Firstly, it is a great bounty of Allah Ta‘ala that in today’s times, a child at the age of nine is in the habit of performing all his salaah. We commend you for your effort in instilling the importance of salaah in your child and your concern for his Deen.

The following could be done to assist him to improve on the quality of his salaah:

1. Regularly praise him for performing his salaah. This will be a source of motivation and encouragement for him.

2. Make ta’leem of Fazaail-e-Aa’maal daily. Emphasize on the section “Virtues of Salaah” and the incidents related to the quality of salaah performed by the pious.

3. Repeatedly read to him the following hadeeth:

Sayyiduna ‘Ubaadah bin Saamit (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When a servant (of Allah Ta‘ala) makes wudhu and ensures that he makes it correctly (by fulfilling all the sunnats, not wasting water, etc.) then offers salaah and completes the rukoo’, sajdah and the recitation (of the Quraan Majeed), the salaah addresses him saying, ‘May Allah Ta‘ala protect you just as you protected me.’ It is then taken up into the sky whilst it is bright and radiant. The doors of the sky are then opened for it (i.e. it is readily accepted). However, when a servant (of Allah Ta‘ala) does not make wudhu properly, and does not complete the rukoo’, sajdah and recitation (of the Quraan Majeed), the salaah curses him saying, ‘May Allah Ta‘ala destroy you, like you destroyed me!’ It then rises to the sky in a dark state and the doors of the sky remain locked (i.e. no reward is given for the salaah). The salaah is then wrapped like an old rag and thrown at his face.” (Tabraani and Bazzaar – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #2761)

Then, practically demonstrate to him that by performing all the postures, etc. calmly, it will take in total only +/- two minutes more for two rakaats. In spending just two minutes more, he will earn the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. Otherwise, the salaah will curse him.

4. Introduce incentives and rewards for him if he improves his salaah. Explain to him that these rewards are small in comparison to what Allah Ta‘ala has in store for him.

5. Send a request to his Ustaaz/Aapa in madrasah to speak to them on the importance of performing salaah correctly. Generally, children pay a lot of attention to what their Ustaaz/Aapa says.

6. Make special du’aa for him daily.

Whilst you should be making the above mentioned effort, you should also be cognisant of the fact that children tend to be playful and always try to take shortcuts when fulfilling duties. Therefore, while this must be corrected, you will have to be a little patient. Continue to gently nudge him and guide him. Insha-Allah, he will keep improving.

May Allah Ta‘ala make your son punctual on his salaah throughout his life in a way that is most pleasing to Him, aameen.

Answered by:

Uswatul Muslimah Panel of ‘Ulama