The Age at Which Children Are Required to Pray
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 44
وَ رُوِيَ عَنِ اَلْحَسَنِ بْنِ قَارِنٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا اَلْحَسَنِ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَوْ سُئِلَ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَخْتِنُ وَلَدَهُ وَ هُوَ لاَ يُصَلِّي اَلْيَوْمَ وَ اَلْيَوْمَيْنِ فَقَالَ «وَ كَمْ أَتَى عَلَى اَلْغُلاَمِ» فَقَالَ ثَمَانِيَ سِنِينَ فَقَالَ «سُبْحَانَ اَللَّهِ يَتْرُكُ اَلصَّلاَةَ» قَالَ قُلْتُ يُصِيبُهُ اَلْوَجَعُ قَالَ «يُصَلِّي عَلَى نَحْوِ مَا يَقْدِرُ».
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."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh