Question
I pray that you are well. As we know the Masjid is the house of Allah and is to be preserved as a peaceful and tranquil place to come. However some mention a saying of some sorts that the Masjid which does not have children playing in it has no future. So due to this they allow children to run and play in the Masjid which in itself comes across as extremely doubtful. So my questions are:
1. Where does this specific statement originate from? (if there is any origin)
2. If the statement is indeed found in the Sharia, then is it permissible for children to play in the Masjid?
Apologies if the answer seems obvious however I’ve heard these statements many times and seen this occuring in Masjids before.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب
Answer
The statement mentioned in the question is not in any hadith, but in the hadith it is forbidden to bring unintelligent children to the mosque.
This violates the sanctity of the mosque especially when they play and make noise, it will cause trouble to the worshipers and it is against the main purpose of mosques.
Yes, children who are sensible and can take care of the manners of the mosque are allowed to be brought to the mosques, but it is good so that they can also join the community of Muslims and learn the religion.
It is in the hadith:
جَنِّبُوا مَسَاجِدَكُمْ صِبْيَانَكُمْ وَمَجَانِينَكُمْ وَشِرَارَكُمْ وَبَيْعَكُمْ وَخُصُومَاتِكُمْ وَرَفْعَ أَصْوَاتِكُمْ وَإِقَامَةَ حُدُودِكُمْ وَسَلَّ سُيُوفِكُمْ
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Keep your infants, your insane and your evil ones away from your mosques. Avoid engaging in transactions and disputes, raising your voices, carrying out your prescribed punishments and unsheathing your swords therein.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, 750)
Answered by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated by: Saqib Madani
