239. Imām al-Bāqir (a.s.) and Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.) said: “When a boy becomes three years old, he should be told: “Say: ‘There is no god but Allah’ seven times.” Then he must be left until he becomes three years seven months and twenty days, then he must be told: “Say: ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’ seven times. Then he is left until he finishes four years, and then he must be told: “Say: ‘Praise of Allah be upon Muhammad and his progeny’ seven times. Then is left until he finishes five years. At that time, he must be asked which one is his right hand and which one is his left. If he can recognize them, his face should be turned towards the direction of the Qiblah and he must be told: “Prostrate.” Then he is left until he finishes seven years, in which he is told: “Wash your face and your hands.” When he washes them he should be told: “Perform your prayers.” Then he is left until he finishes nine years of age. At this time, he must be taught how to make ablution and perform prayer and he must be disciplined for abandoning them. When he learns ablution and prayers, Allah will forgive both him and his parents, by the will of Allah.”1
240. Da‘ā'im al-Islam: “It was narrated to us from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad [al-Sādiq] (a.s.): “He used to enjoin a child to fast during the month of Ramadān for a part of the day, and when he saw that thirst and hunger had overcome him, he would tell him to break his fast.”2
241. Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.) said: “When our children reach the age of seven we order them to pray and fast as much as they can tolerate.”3
242. Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.) said, in answer to a question about the age when prayer becomes obligatory for a child: “As for prayers, when he is at the age of six, and fasting is when he is able to bear it.”4
1.. Kitāb Man lā Yahdarhu al-Faqih, vol. ۱, p. ۲۸۱, h. ۸۶۳. al-Amāli, by al-Saduq, p. ۴۷۵, h. ۶۴۰, with ‘Imām al-Bāqir (a.s.) or Imām al-Sādiq (a.s.)’. Both narrating from ‘Abdullah ibn Fadālah.
2.. Da‘ā'im al-Islām, vol. ۱, p. ۱۹۴. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۸۸, p. ۱۳۴, h. ۵.
3.. Da‘ā'im al-Islām, vol. ۱, p. ۱۹۴. Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۸۸, p. ۱۳۴, h. ۵.
4.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۳, p. ۲۰۶, h. ۲, narrating from al-Halabi and Zurārah. Tahdhib al-Ahkām, vol. ۲, p. ۳۸۱, h. ۱۵۹۱, narrating from Ishāq ibn ‘Ammār.
