Chapter on Disciplining and Testing a Child

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 3|Book 3|Chapter 53
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

Volume 3, Book 3, Chapter 53

Chapter on Disciplining and Testing a Child

وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: "يُرَبَّى اَلصَّبِيُّ سَبْعاً وَ يُؤَدَّبُ سَبْعاً وَ يُسْتَخْدَمُ سَبْعاً وَ مُنْتَهَى طُولِهِ فِي ثَلاَثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً وَ عَقْلِهِ فِي خَمْسٍ وَ ثَلاَثِينَ سَنَةً وَ مَا كَانَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَبِالتَّجَارِبِ".
The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "A child should be nurtured for seven years, disciplined for seven years, and then employed (given responsibility) for seven years. His physical growth reaches its peak at twenty-three years, and his intellect matures at thirty-five years. Whatever comes after that is through experiences."
  • Shaykh Baqir al-Behbudi
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh