I say, and with Allah's success: Children, both boys and girls, are commanded to pray when they reach the age of seven, and they are to be struck for it at the age of ten with the hand, and it should not exceed three strikes with the hand; gently with them, and as a warning according to their capacity. The striking should be with the hand, not with a stick; because striking with a stick is for a wrongdoing committed by someone responsible, and there is no wrongdoing from a young child. This striking is obligatory; as reported by Sabrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Teach the child to pray at the age of seven, and strike him for it at the age of ten," in Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2: 259, and he said: it is good and authentic, and in Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2: 102, and in Al-Mustadrak 1: 389. And from Amr ibn Shu'ayb from his father from his grandfather, may Allah be pleased with them, who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Command them to pray at the age of seven, and strike them for it at the age of ten, and separate them in their beds," in Sunan al-Bayhaqi al-Kabir 2: 229, and Sunan al-Daraqutni 1: 231, and Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat 4: 256, and Musnad Ahmad 2: 187, and Musnad al-Harith 1: 238, and there is some discussion regarding its chain of narration as mentioned in Talqih al-Habir 1: 185, and Nasb al-Rayah 1: 298, and Kashf al-Khafa 2: 266. See: Hashiyat al-Tahawi p. 174, and al-Maraqi pp. 173-174.