Q: Is it correct for a person to keep his sons behind him in the masjid - away from other children as these children are causing a disturbance in the back. Some children hit others.
What will be the correct age to bring children to the masjid? Any guidelines regarding the children's saffs as some mention that the children can stand in the adults' saffs if they are misbehaving.
Please clarify with guidelines for our masaajid.
A:
1. The Fuqaha have mentioned that the saffs in salaah should be arranged according to the sunnah sequence. The sunnah sequence is that the baaligh males should occupy the front rows, followed by the rows of the children. Allowing the children to stand in the saffs of the men is not correct and is against the sunnah.
If the children misbehave, then they should be disciplined by their parents and taught the aadaab of the masjid before they are brought to the masjid. However, on account of the children misbehaving in the masjid, the sunnah sequence of the rows should not be omitted, as this will go against the sunnah and will also impact on the salaah of the musallis.
2. After they are taught the aadaab of the masjid (preferably from the age of 7).
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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