Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 81
Chapter 5: Middle School Years 81 ISLAMIC GUIDANCE Salat and Holy Qur ’ an The previous chapters have already discussed the importance of teaching children about Islamic worship from early childhood. When the children are young, that is, in toddler and pre-school years, they learn the different postures of Salat by observing their parents. A two- year-old may recite Surah Fatihah and even call the Adhan in his own way. The Holy Prophet (saw) established the guidelines that children should start praying regularly when they are seven years old and by the time they are ten years old, they should be admonished if they fail to observe the daily Salat. However, by the time the children reach the age of twelve, parents can only remind them of their obligations, but at the same time be aware that the children constantly observe and copy the example set by their parents. All of the Khulafa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have exhorted the Jama ’ at members towards the importance of establishing Salat and , in particular , congregational Salat. Hazrat Khalifatul - Masih V (aba) emphasized the importance of establishing Salat , i. e. offering it on time and in congregation , in his Friday Sermon of June 22, 2012. He also stressed the importance of performing the five daily Prayers at the mosques. He said that it is understandable that due to distances and the commitments of employment and school, one may not be able to atten d the mosque for Zuhr or Asr Prayers. However, he said: “ But this excuse is not valid for Fajr , Maghrib, and Isha prayers and they can attend these. I know many Ahmadis living in Western countries that live 15-20 miles from the mosque, but still come to the mosque for prayers. If they cannot offer congregational Zuhr and Asr prayers, then as I said, they make every effort to join in Fajr , Maghrib, and