When Does it Become Obligatory to Pray?
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Question
According to the Shafi`i school of fiqh, at what age does salah become obligatory? Is it at five, seven, or ten years?Answer
Wa Alaykum Assalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful & Compassionate
From a previous question answered by Sidi Hamza Karamali:
One only becomes accountable for one's actions (mukallaf) upon reaching puberty. Before this, one's sins are not written against one, although the reward for good deeds that one does is inscribed in one's favour. (Kashifat al-Saja)
Note that it is obligatory on parents to command their children to perform religious duties once they complete 7 lunar years, and they are sinful if they delay doing this until the children reach puberty.
Wassalam,
SunniPath Fiqh Team
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This answer was published by SunniPath and is preserved as written. Rulings can depend on circumstances; for your own situation, consult a qualified scholar.
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