Q: My query is regarding the hadeeth of the child Sahaabi who performed salaah behind Nabi Sallaallahu alaihi wasallam and then went to his tribe and led the people in salaah.
1. Can the exact hadeeth be given with the references.
2. Is it permissible to use this hadeeth as a proof for a child being allowed to do imamat (albeit for taraweeh)
3. If possible, what is the fatwa of the A’imma Arba’a with regards to the above maslah.
I only ask this as recently in a musjid, naa baaligh children were allowed by the mutawalli of the musjid to lead the taraweeh salaah.
A: All our imaams are unanimous that a child cannot lead the salaah. You are not in the position of inspecting hadeeth and arriving at the right conclusions. First complete the formal studies and understand and see all the ahaadeeth in every chapter and once you have inspected the credentials of the hadeeth and its narrators and what the sahaabah and taabi`een etc. had to say then you will be in a position to take a decision. For now just go by what our ulama have stated.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)