Can a Child Lead His Mother in Prayer in Islam?

Question
As-salamu `alaykum. When my husband is out and it is me and children at home, who should lead prayer; I or my oldest son? He’s 7, but knows how to pray properly.
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Answer

Wa Alaykum As-Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All Praise and Thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In response to this question, Dr. Wael Shehab, PhD in Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University and Imam of the Downtown Toronto Masjid in Canada, states:

A boy who knows how to pray well can lead others in congregational prayers. This is because Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated,

“يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب الله”

The person who is best versed in the recitation of the Book of Allah should lead the prayer.” (Sahih Muslim)

Also,

وَعَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ سَلَمَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ أَبِي: ” جِئْتُكُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اَلنَّبِيِّ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-حَقًّا.‏ قَالَ: “فَإِذَا حَضَرَتْ اَلصَّلَاةُ فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ أَحَدُكُمْ، وَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ أَكْثَرُكُمْ قُرْآنًا”، قَالَ: فَنَظَرُوا فَلَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ أَكْثَرَ قُرْآنًا مِنِّي، فَقَدَّمُونِي، وَأَنَا اِبْنُ سِتٍّ أَوْ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ “.

(رَوَاهُ اَلْبُخَارِيُّ، وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ، وَالنَّسَائِيّ ُ.‏)

Narrated ‘Amr bin Salimah (RA): “My father said, “I have come from the true Prophet (PBUH), so when the time of Salat (prayer) comes one of you should announce the Adhan and the one of you who knows the Qur’an most should be your Imam.” He (‘Amr) said: “They looked around and there was no one who knew the Qur’an more than I. So they put me forward in front of them and I was only six or seven years old.”

[Reported by al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud and an-Nasa’i].

Given the foregoing, if your son has reached the age of discernment and understands how to offer prayers correctly and appropriately, he should lead you in prayer.

Allah Almighty knows best.

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