Little Muslims Praying

Sometime earlier this week there was a discussion about learning how to pray, the requirements of prayer, fasting and general teaching our children to become good Muslims.  We were advised to require our children to pray once they reach the age of 7.  This was surprising to me, as I have always been told that up until the time they reach puberty, they are learning, and not accountable for their Salah.  I was not part of the conversation that was relayed to me later that day, but since then, we have been doing our best to have all 3 of the children pray each and every prayer, late or on time.

I have been searching for documentation to support this new advise because I want to understand it better, I want to make sure that we are teaching the children as well as if both of us were modeling the praying behavior.  Does this make sense?  I’m not, in any way, saying that Khaled is lacking at teaching the children.  In fact, they do so very well when we take them to the Mosque, or when we are praying at someone’s home.  Masha’Allah.*  But what I’m saying is that if I was maintaining the prayer schedule even when Khaled was not here, they would have more reinforcement of the learning, and it would be second nature for them.  I feel that I am failing at this.  I lean on my son too much for his remembering of the times that he needs to pray, and for him to take over the perfection of prayer when Khaled is not here.  I ask them, “do you need to pray now?” or if it comes to my mind,  I check the prayer clock and ask them, “Have you prayed yet?”  But it’s not ingrained in me that prayer should be happening at the exact time it should be done.

I need to do better.  *Sigh* I really need to do better.

In my search, I came across a few websites that have great resources and I thought I might share them with you, in case you – like me, feel you could be doing better.  The first is from the website: Islam for Parents.  Teaching Children to Pray – Some Tips  I’m going to bookmark this site for further investigation.  The second site is Simply Islam.com and they have listed a book called How To Pray Salat, from the series Quran Stories for Little Hearts.  I just love this series.  It makes the Quranic stories accessable to children and those of us who are just beginning.  The third resource I would love to share with you is a search result I did over on American Muslim Mom.  I have shared from this website before, and every time I visit there I learn something that makes my life easier.  Today was no different.  I searched for Salat and found 2 videos, an article and a slide show.

I have a few more things to share, but will put them into different posts to make them more searchable.  Sorry for the blog spam today!  LOL Happy Friday, only 11 days left!

*Masha’Allah = Because God Wills It.