Answer
(Fatwa: 1437/1250=B/1429)
If there is one minor child he can be made stand in the row of the elders, whether at right or left sides or anywhere in between the row, the salah of all the people in congregation will be valid without any desirability. If there are more than one children then the imam should make a separate row behind the menÂ’s row, they should not stand in the row of men. If two children stood in the row of men, the salah of those adjacent to them will be makrooh whether they stood with or without permission. The children below seven years should not be taken to mosques. Usually the children of seven years or more do not run around in the rows. However, if they run or move around, your salah will be valid. If anyone insists to keep his one child with him in the row there is no wrong in it, people should not quarrel with him. If he takes two children with him in the row then it is against Sunnah, but the salah of all will be valid, only one who is doing against Sunnah will be sinful. But, if the gathering is so large like Eid and one fears that the child may go missing if taken to back rows, therefore the Ulama have allowed to make the children stand in between the row of men as well.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband