In Which Row a Single Minor Boy Should Stand

Question

What is the ruling on small children in congregational prayer, and where should they be made to stand in the congregation? If there is only one boy and all the other muqtadis (followers) are adults, and the boy is about twelve or thirteen years old — if this boy is made to stand joined to the muqtadis on the left side, will the prayer of the muqtadis become fasid (invalid) in this case or not? If, after he has been placed on the left, masbuqs (latecomers)

Answer

When there are several children, a separate row of their own is to be formed behind the row of men. If there is only one boy, he should be made to stand in the men's row itself — whether on their left side or anywhere else; he should not be made to stand alone behind the row.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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