Fatwa No : 86930
Making a Child Perform an Act of Worship as a Punishment

Making a Child Perform an Act of Worship as a Punishment

In our country, Bangladesh, some schools impose religious practices as a form of punishment when students violate school rules. For example, if a student skips a class or fails to memorize a lesson, the teacher demands that the student perform twenty units of optional prayer (nafl), or recite tasbih one thousand times. Is it permissible to punish students by making them perform prayer, recitation, or tasbih? I would like you to guide us with a solution to this issue. May Allah bless you.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be clarified that the purpose of disciplining children is their moral and educational training. If a student misses a prayer, it is permissible to make him perform some nafl prayers or similar acts so that he becomes accustomed to performing prayers, or to require tasbih for other shortcomings. However, the patience and endurance of the students must also be taken into consideration, so that the intended goal of correction and training is achieved, and the children do not develop aversion toward acts of worship due to excessive punishment.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

کما فی سنن ابی داود: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: «مُرُوا أَوْلادَكُم بِالصَّلاةِ وَهُم أَبْنَاءُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ»۔ (حدیث: 495)۔
وفی صحيح البخاري: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَائِلًا عَنْ رَبِّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: «وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ»۔ (كتاب الرقاق، باب التواضع، حديث: 6502)۔
وفی الموسوعة الفقهية الكويتيہ: طرق تأديب الصبي: يؤدب الصبي بالأمر بأداء الفرائض والنهي عن المنكرات بالقول، ثم الوعيد، ثم التعنيف، ثم الضرب، إن لم تجد الطرق المذكورة قبله، ولا يضرب الصبي لترك الصلاة إلا إذا بلغ عشر سنين. لحديث: مروا أولادكم بالصلاة وهم أبناء سبع سنين، واضربوهم عليها وهم أبناء عشر سنين الخ۔ (حرف التاء، تأديب، ج:10،ص:24، ط: دارالسلاسل - الكويت)۔