The Age at Which Children Are Required to Pray

It is narrated from al-Hasan ibn Qarin that He said: "I asked Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام, or he was asked while I was listening, about a man who circumcises his son, and the boy does not pray for a day or two." Imam عليه السلام asked: "How old is the boy?" The response was, "Eight years old." Imam عليه السلام said: "Glory be to Allah سبحانه وتعالى! He leaves prayer?" The narrator replied: "He is in pain." Imam عليه السلام said: "He should pray to the extent that he is able."

Abdullah ibn Fadalah narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام and Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام that He said: "When a boy reaches the age of three, he should be instructed to say 'la illaha illa Allah سبحانه وتعالى' seven times. Then he is left until he completes three years, seven months, and twenty days, at which point he is instructed to say 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم' seven times. He is then left until he reaches four years of age, after which he is instructed to say seven times, 'May Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless Muhammad and his family.' He is then left until he turns five years old and is asked: 'Which hand is your right and which is your left?' When he recognizes this, his face is turned toward the Qiblah, and he is told to prostrate. He is then left until he turns seven years old, at which point he is told to wash his face and hands. When he washes them, he is told to pray. He is then left until he reaches the age of nine. At nine, he is taught the proper way of performing ablution (wudu) and is disciplined for neglecting it. He is also instructed to perform prayer and disciplined for neglecting it. When he has learned wudu and prayer, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, forgives him and his parents, if Allah سبحانه وتعالى wills."