Chapter on the Ages That Children Are Commanded to Pray

From him, from Al-‘Abbas ibn Ma‘ruf, from Hammad ibn ‘Isa, from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahb, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “At what age should a child be made to observe the prayer?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Between six and seven years of age." I asked: “At what age should he be made to fast?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Between fourteen or fifteen years of age. And if he fasts before that, then let him be, my son so-and-so fasted before that, and I let him do so."