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[quote]salmas

What follows is the text of the referred to Hadith ascribed to the Prophet (swS):

[b]Tell your children to pray when they are seven years old and discipline them if they don't when they are ten years old. [/b]

Though the narrative is often quoted in disicussion in this regard but i could not find the source and am therefore am unable to say anything regarding the authenticity of the report. However, one think clear that the narrative has not been reported in more reliable sources of Hadith.

Even if we take it as authentic saying ascribed to the prophet (Sws) it cannot be accepted an independent religious directive. It is an established fact that Islam does not require the blievers to compel others into submitting before God. Every one is free to act what way they like. The narrative too does not necessary say that one should force childern in that early age. The word 'Muroo' does not necessary mean oblige them. There is no denying the fact that in Islam all the religious obligations are applied only to adult and mature members of the society.

The Prophetic exhortation in fact comes under the Qur’anic directive where believers are exhorted upon striving to save themselves and their family from the Fire. It means that a believer is required to teach religion to his family members and exhort them on obeying God. We love our children too much to let them fall in the smallest of mistake. We try to inculcate every good in them and keep them away from evil of every nature. Therefore it is very natural for a father to wish for his child to be a good believer and knowledgeable in the religious obligations.

The narrative should be seen in this perspective. We see that the Prophet has urged the believers to start training the children when they are seven and discipline them when they are ten.

This is only in reference to the parents and their obligation toward the spiritual growth of their offspring that the prophet said so. As regards the children they are not obliged to offer regular prayer in before they are mentally mature. The time this maturity differs with any two individuals.[/quote]

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