Salah is the second pillar of faith in Islam. The five daily prayers were obligatory on all Muslims of sound mind and of the appropriate age. The Holy Prophet (SAW) was granted the gift of Salah during Al-Isra and Al-Miraj, the Night Journey and Ascension that took him from the Holy Kaaba to Jerusalem and the seven heavens.
The command to establish prayer five times a day is repeated multiple times in the Holy Quran, highlighting the significance of Salah. In addition to commanding Muslims to pray themselves, Allah (SWT) has made us responsible for those around us to be mindful of their prayers. Allah (SWT) says in Surah Ta’ Ha:
“Enjoin on your people service to God, and be yourself constant in it. We do not ask you to provide: It is We who provide for you. The reward is for piety and fear of God.” [20:132]
The verse above refers to being regular in prayer and encouraging family members and friends to do the same. A true Muslim enjoins what is right and forbids what is wrong. Simply doing good ourselves and refraining from sinful behavior is not enough. We must look out for the entire community. This especially includes children who are the future of the ummah and need to be guided from an early age.
Giving Guidance to Children
Children play a vital role in the Islamic community. They are responsible for the continuation and development of the Islamic system. This is why special attention and effort are required to teach children about Islam. Parents, teachers, and close relatives are responsible for guiding children.
This can be done through Islamic education and by fostering an environment that encourages the development of solid morals consistent with the spirit of Islam. Children of a certain age must be encouraged to pray five times a day. The Holy Prophet (SAW), according to a tradition narrated by Hazrat Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), said:
“Command your children to pray when they become seven years old and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.” [Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 2, Hadith 495]
The above hadith is full of wisdom. We now know that habits formed during a child's formative years are the longest-lasting. Habit-forming behaviors start around age nine, making early childhood the perfect time to start developing behaviors that need to be cultivated throughout life.
As Muslims, we must start guiding our children and making them aware of their religion from an early age. Doing this will help them embrace their Muslim identity and become better humans.
Helping Children Become Punctual in Prayers
We have all the tools and means at our disposal to teach our children about Islam and incorporate Islamic practices into their daily lives. Prayers are an integral part of being a Muslim, and starting to pray regularly is not as hard as many of us think. Here is how you can make your child learn about and stick to prayer times:
Lead by Example
If you want your child to learn about prayer timings and be regular in prayer, then you must first do the same. Many parents make the mistake of telling their children and expect them to perform desirable behavior rather than setting a practical example for them to follow. Children are excellent at mimicking and picking up behavior they see exhibited around them.
It is far more effective that you teach a child by performing Salah punctually yourself and encouraging children to copy you. Fathers should take their sons to the mosque, especially for the Friday prayers, while daughters can pray beside their mothers.
Practically setting an example is the best way to teach children. It removes any confusion about what is expected of them, and your word will hold more value as it is backed by action.
Explain the Meaning and Importance of Salah
Telling children to adopt a habit is not enough. You must educate them on the meaning and wisdom behind the command to offer prayers daily. There is a reason for everything Allah (SWT) has commanded us to do, and the same goes for Salah.
Children should be taught what the words we recite during Salah mean. If they need help understanding Arabic, find a prayer translation. Communicate to them the reason for offering prayers. The five daily prayers allow us to connect to and remember Allah Almighty (SWT). It teaches us discipline and time management, tools that every child must learn from an early age to become competent individuals.
Use a Daily Diary or Tracking System
Keeping track of all the prayers can initially be challenging when children start praying. Children get distracted easily and must constantly be reminded about things they must do. Helping them keep track of prayers is very simple. You can get a simple notebook, so your child can maintain a daily diary of everything they did in the day, including the five daily prayers.
If the child is too young to maintain a diary independently, then you can help them. At the end of the day inquire how many prayers they offered and record it in the diary. You can even use a tracking system. Prayer-tracking journals are available, but you can easily make one yourself or print a template. Just write the days of the week on a sheet and make marks for the number of prayers prayed. Stickers can also be used or a whiteboard that can be erased and reused.
Visually seeing their own performance can be a source of motivation for kids, and once they start offering all five prayers, it can provide them with a sense of achievement. Furthermore, you can reward them with kind words or even small gifts to encourage them and keep them working towards their goals.
Set Prayer Alerts on your Phone
Prayer alert apps are great for tracking prayer timings for children and everyone. These apps give accurate prayer timings according to your location. You can even view prayer times here. However, with a mobile application switched on, the alert provides an audible notification that everyone near the phone can hear.
Although children are too young to own a smartphone, you or a family member can use theirs to alert everyone else in the house.
Set their Routine Around the Five Daily Prayers
Every child needs a routine. It keeps them grounded and focused, and there is no better routine for a child than the one designed around the five daily prayers. Have them wake up, offer fajr as their first thing, and pray Isha right before bed. Spread the other three prayers similarly throughout the day.
In this manner, children will feel free from the responsibility of offering prayers as they will automatically be a part of their daily activities. Once the routine is set, it will come to them naturally.
Prayers of Children
It is simple human psychology that childhood is the best time for learning and adopting new habits. Children should be taught to adopt Salah as a part of their lives from a young age. This will relieve them of the burden of getting into the habit later on in life.
It is also better that our children start walking on the rightly guided path at an early age. This will allow them to develop spiritually and become better humans and Muslims as they grow up .It is among the best things we can do for our children besides meeting their needs and giving them love and care.
Kind Regards,
Dur-e-Sabih
