PRAYER MATS: SALAT ENABLER FOR CHILDREN by Lawal AbdulAfeez Arishekola
Abu Dawood (495) and Ahmad (6650) narrated from ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb from his father, that his grandfather said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Instruct your children to pray when they are seven years old, and smack them if they do not do it when they are ten, and separate them in their beds.” Classed as saheeh (authentic) by al-Albaani in al-Irwa’ (247).
It is no doubt that it is a flagitious carelessness from parents whose children weren’t instructed to observe Salat from age 7 nor reprimanded when they reach age 10. Taking into cognizance the age mentioned by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and the wisdom behind it, being that children at those mentioned age start to take in and comprehend numerous things better by observing their folks, kin and friends.
Children like to mimic the grown-ups around them majorly parents, especially during early adolescence. At the point when a kid sees his parent repeatedly performing an action i.e Salat, he is probably going to stick to this same practice and with time he gets acclimatised to it.
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said in al-Mughni (1/357):
“This telling and discipline is prescribed in the case of children in order to train them to pray, so that they will be used to it and it will become their habit, and they will not forsake it when they reach puberty.”
In order to show your children the significance of Salat in their lives, it is critical to carry them along when going to offer your Salat in a Masjid or voluntary Salawat in the house, doing this, he will best possibly mirror you from the earliest starting point, and he will build up an affection and ecstasy for Salat since the early formative stage.
Also, it is majorly imperative to give your children a daily practice by making the ablution, known as “Wudu” trailed by using their hand to do it, and help them wash unnoticed/hidden body parts that the children usually skip while doing ablution, and by spreading supplication mats for yourself and the children and proceeding with the Salat – it’s a frisky accompanying motivator for kids.
The prayer mats which go about as a notable item for Salat can be eye catching for children. Despite the fact that at first children may utilize the supplication place as a play territory, yet with the progression of time, they begin to copy your Salat activities.
Parents can encourage their wards to produce a prayer mat with materials best available to them as well. At that point these prayer mats are more utilized and it likewise go about as a beginning stage for the kids to offer Salat all the more consistently. What’s more to it is that it regularly serve as a matter of pride for them to appeal to Allah utilizing a mat they have made themselves. For children, these little exercises keep them occupied and engaged, yet in addition go about as venturing stones to improve their lives as Muslim children.
While at this, parents should make sure that the prayer may is devoid of any markings or images as these may serve as major distractions for them and in Salat;
Al-Bukhaari (373) and Muslim (556) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed in a black cloak that had markings, and he looked at its markings. When he finished praying, he said: “Take this cloak to Abu Jahm ibn Hudhayfah, and bring me his plain garment, for they distracted me just now when I was praying.”. Hishaam ibn ‘Urwah narrated from his father, from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I was looking at its markings whilst I was praying and I was afraid that they would distract me.”
Teach your children how to observe Salat with jolly activities while not leaving out the importance of them having Khushoo (Calmness) in Salat, and find them doing it continuously fulfilling life-long.
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