Q 4: When should a child start to observe Sawm (Fast)?

A: A child should be commanded to offer Salah when they reach seven years of age, and should be beaten for neglecting it when they are ten years old. However, it becomes obligatory for them when they reach the age of puberty. Puberty in the case of males is recognized by the discharge of semen due to sexual desire, also when coarse hair starts to grow around the penis, in addition to having semen discharge when having a sexual dream, or by reaching the age of fifteen. The same applies to females, except that they additionally have (Part No. 10; Page No. 148) a fourth sign of puberty which is menstruation.The basic principle regarding this is what was related by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud on the authority of `Amr ibn Shu`ayb on the authority of his father and grandfather who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for (neglecting) it when they become ten years old; and provide them separate beds (to sleep in). Also what was narrated by `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: There are three (people) whose actions will not be accounted for: sleepers until they awaken, boys till they reach puberty and insane people until they recover from insanity Related by Imam Ahmad and he related a similar narration on the authority of `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him). This Hadith was also compiled by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhy who said that it is a Hadith Hassan (a Hadith whose chain of narration contains a narrator with weak exactitude, but is free from eccentricity or blemish).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.