Children and the Masjid

 

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Keep away from the Mosques your children and your insane ones”.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) issued this instruction to safeguard the purity and the sanctity of the Mosque. This command brings within its purview where the Eid Prayer (Eid Ghah) is also held. Children as well as insane people are careless in regard to matters of tahaarat (purity). The possibility of them defiling the Mosque is strong. In fact this has been observed in Mosques frequented by children. The carpets are defiled and have to be removed and washed with great difficulty. At times if it is not even known if the little children have relieved themselves. In Mosques with wall to wall carpeting it has been witnessed that the ignorant officials of the mosque apply some form of liquid and detergent and labour under the impression that the carpet has been purified. But in fact it remains impure. To purify the carpet it is necessary to remove the particular portion and wash it. Children also create a disturbance distracting the attention of the Worshippers. The Islamic Law, therefore, does not permit bringing children to the mosque. It is thus essential that people desist from this practice.

(Ref: Awake to the call of Islam Vol. 5 No. 4 Page 14)