Category: Dr. Wael Shehab

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, “People should be led in prayer by the one who knows the most Qur’an among them.” (Sahih Muslim)

Also, ‘Amr ibn Salamah al-Jarami said, “My father heard Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saying, “When the time for prayer comes, let the one among you who knows the most Qur’an lead you in prayer.” They looked and they couldn’t find anyone who knew more Qur’an than me, so they made me lead them in prayer, despite the fact that I was only six or seven years old.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

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.