Where to place your small child during the prayer

Question:

What is the ruling of placing small children in the rows (of prayer)?

Answer:

A mistake if they do not know what they are doing, cannot recite properly and do not make wudhu (ablution) or anything.

But young children are a handful so he might keep crying if you take him out (of the row) and disturb the people, in this case some of the scholars allow for a small space to be made for him.

As for being given a whole space in the row; he should not given a whole space in the row. He should not be placed in the row to begin with unless it is feared he will cry a lot and distract, in this case a small gap can be made for him for his well-being and to keep him quiet.

This is in the interest of the prayer and it has been reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to take the interest of the prayer into consideration; he ﷺ entered the prayer and wanted to lengthen it then heard a baby crying so shortened it.

So if he is going to disturb, a small space that does not break the row can be made for him and he may be placed therein.

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(1.) Reported in Al-Bukhāri & Muslim from Anas – may Allāh be pleased with him.

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Answered by: Shaykh Abū Bilāl al-Ḥaḍramī (May Allāh preserve him)

Source : https://t.me/abubilalhami/8163

Translated by: Abū Sufyān Samuel ibn Daniel Al-Britāni Al-Ghāni