Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

Ibn Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) said: “A child should be taught to pray if he knows his right from his left.”

 

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded this statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). The narration is suitable to quote as reported.

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) said: “A child should be taught Salah when he is able to distinguish between his right and left.”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3504. Also see: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3514, Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq: 7290, 7291, 7292, 7293, Shu’abul Iman: 8332)

 

Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 498)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar