Amal Al-Sibai
Saudi Gazette
Birthdays are celebrated in some Muslim families but are not celebrated in others.
There is one particular birthday that should be joyously celebrated in all Muslim families, but in a unique and special way; and that is the seventh birthday. When your daughter turns seven, that is a perfect time to shower her with gifts, buy her a cake, but most importantly, teach her to pray. Make it a joyous and memorable occasion.
The age of seven is when children should learn to pray and start getting into the habit of praying the five daily prayers. We should not dismiss the importance of prayer in a child’s life, assuming that they are too young and that we can teach them later.
In the Hadith narrated in Abu Dawud’s book, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Order a boy to perform salat (prayer) when he is seven years old.”
This of course applies to both boys and girls.
It is a mistake to order our children around and use threats to force them to pray. We should encourage them to pray, teach them that the prayer is their connection with Allah who loves them very much. The motivation to pray should be out of love and desire to connect, and not out of fear of punishment.
Buy a microphone and let your child use it to lead the prayer at home. Let your son be the imam. Allow your children to practice the adhan and reciting the Quran beautifully. Give your son a soft, prayer rug with the picture of the Kabah embroidered on it. Give your daughter a pink prayer scarf with pretty beads on it. Use some scented candles or musk or bakhoor in the room that you will pray in together as a family. Reward your child with a simple treat, like a sticker or candy or cookie or 15 minutes to watch cartoons when they pray on time. The children will love these ideas and they will start to look forward to the prayer!
Turkey sets a beautiful example of how Muslims should celebrate their children’s seventh birthday!
Every year, a ceremony is held at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey for children who turn seven. The children gather together with their families to pray. Volunteers teach the children how to make wudu (ritual washing) and how to pray. Each child also receives valuable gifts.
In the most recent celebration, more than 7,000 young children and their families were invited to the mosque as guest honors to attend the ceremony and to pray. Under one beautiful dome at the mosque, the children all prayed in unity with one another, and in worship of One Lord. It is a heart-warming sight to see and should be replicated in other Muslim communities.
