Salat - The Muslim Prayer Book — Page 4
4 S al a t —The Muslim Prayer Book following generation. The parent or guardian, however, is permitted to be somewhat strict with the children between the ages of 10 to 12, should they become slack in offering their Prayers. This does not mean that they should be treated cruelly or punished, rather they should be admonished to the same degree as parents often admonish them for missing school. However, when they reach the age of twelve, they should be made to realise that their parents have discharged their duty and from that time on, the matter rests between them and God, to Whom they are answerable. This does not mean that they should not be advised, exhorted or admonished because as far as advising them is concerned, it can go on for life, if required. It is only the element of strictness which comes to an end when the child reaches the age of twelve. As mentioned earlier, Hadrat Ishmael as adopted the same method of love and kind persuasion with the members of his household. The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa treated the grown-ups in his family in the same manner. It is reported that he used to call out to his daughter Hadrat F at imah ra and his son-in-law Hadrat ‘Al i ra to wake them up for Fajr Prayer. 2. IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER S al a t or the prescribed Prayer has been mentioned in the Holy Quran as an essential characteristic of a true believer. The Holy Quran states: ۙ ﻠﻤﺘﻘني ﻫﺪی ۛ ﻓِﻴﻪ ۛ رﻳﺐ ﻻ اﻟﻜﺘﺐ َََُُُِِّّْْْْٰذﻟﻚ ًَََِِِْٰۚۖۚﻟ َْاﻟﺬ ﻦ َِّﻳ