؟ At what age can a child lead the salaat

[أبو معاوية البيروتي]

Question: At what age can a child lead the salaat

Answer

Assalaamu `alaykum warahmat-Ullaah.

Since the Prophet (S) commanded us to start ordering our children to pray when they reach seven years, once a boy reaches seven he may start leading the prayer (if there is no older male more capable than him) provided that he is:

1. Mentally stable and mature
2. Able to maintain a quiet attitude during the prayer
3. Memorizes some Qur'an
4. Knows and applies the basic regulations of tahaarah, wudoo, covering the awrah, etc
5. Knows and applies the regulations of prayer according to the Sunnah

The above reasoning derives from the al-Bukhari's hadith of Amr Bin Salamah leading his people when he was still a young boy.
Wallaahu A`lam (Allaah knows best)
`
Sheikh Muhammad al-Jibaly

[عبد الله بن مسلم]

BaarakAllahu feek akhi

[أبو معاوية البيروتي]

And you too my brother