الحج — أحكام

الحج is not واجب for children — the obligation begins at puberty (bulugh). However, performing الحج as a child is valid and rewarded. When a woman asked النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), 'Is there الحج for this child?' holding up her infant, he replied, 'Yes, and you will have a reward' (Muslim). This hadith establishes that even infants can be taken for الحج, and that the parent or guardian earns reward for facilitating the child's الحج. However, a child's الحج does not count as fulfillment of the adult obligation — when the child reaches puberty, they will still need to perform الحج independently when able.

For children who have not reached the age of discernment (tamyiz, typically around 7 years), the guardian makes the intention (niyyah) on behalf of the child and physically assists them through all rituals. The guardian carries the child during الطواف and السعي if the child cannot walk. For the الجمرات stoning, the guardian stones on behalf of the child. For children who have reached tamyiz but not puberty, they make their own intention and perform the rituals themselves with the guardian's guidance and supervision. All الإحرام restrictions apply to the child once intention is made, though violations by young children are treated with leniency — the فدية is borne by the guardian.

Taking children on الحج requires careful consideration of the child's age, temperament, physical ability, and the family's capacity to manage additional logistics during an already demanding journey. Very young children (under 3-4) add significant burden: they need carrying during long walks, maintaining الترطيب and feeding schedules in extreme الحرارة, managing naps and rest in chaotic environments, and constant supervision in dense crowds. Many scholars and experienced الحجاج recommend waiting until children are at least 7-10 years old, when they can understand the أهمية of what they are doing, walk independently, and retain memories of the experience. However, families with strong support systems and adequate planning can have meaningful experiences with children of any age.

The spiritual benefit of a child's الحج depends largely on the parents' ability to make the experience meaningful. Before departure, teach children the stories of Ibrahim, Hajar, and Ismail using age-appropriate materials. During the الحج, narrate each ritual: 'We are running between these hills just like Hajar ran looking for water for her baby.' After الحج, help children preserve the memory through photos, drawings, or a simple journal. The most lasting impact often comes not from the rituals themselves but from the child witnessing their parents in deep devotion — seeing a parent cry at Arafah or hearing them recite the التلبية plants seeds of faith that grow throughout the child's life.