--
`Amr bin Shu`aib (may Allah be pleased with them) reported on his fathers authority that his grandfather heard Allahs Messenger (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying:
Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not observing) it when they are ten years old, and separate between them in beds.
(Reported by Abu Dawud)
_____________________________
Lessons Deduced
- Parents should order their children to perform prayer as the hadith asserted. They should teach them its rules, acts and conditions and enjoin them never to cease performing it. In case they do cease, parents should punish them even by beating them.
- Parents should protect their children from being exposed to any temptations especially during the age of pubescence.
- The age most suitable for teaching and education is 7 years while pubescence starts at the age of 10. This is valuable educational guidance from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and a statement of the characteristics of childhood and pubescence which should be of benefit in teaching and educating children.
