Is a child's হজ্জ valid, and does it fulfill their ওয়াজিব হজ্জ?

A child's হজ্জ is valid and earns reward, but it does not count as the child's ওয়াজিব হজ্জ. By scholarly consensus (ijma'), a হজ্জ performed before reaching the age of puberty (bulugh) is considered a voluntary (nafl) হজ্জ. When the child grows up and reaches puberty, they are required to perform হজ্জ as their own obligation if they have the means, regardless of having performed it as a child.

Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that it is praiseworthy for parents to take their children for হজ্জ, as this instills love for the sacred rites from an early age and earns reward for both the child and the parent. For a child who can walk and perform the rites independently (typically from age 7 onwards), the parent helps them through the rites with guidance. For an infant or very young child, the parent enters ইহরাম on the child's behalf, carries them during তাওয়াফ and সাঈ, and performs the required acts (like cutting the child's hair) on their behalf.

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen discussed the practical question of whether it is better to take young children for হজ্জ or leave them at home. He acknowledged that taking young children can be very challenging during the intense হজ্জ experience, and that the reward of the child's হজ্জ does not discharge any future obligation. He advised parents to weigh the benefits (spiritual exposure, reward for facilitating worship) against the difficulties (potential distraction from their own worship, physical burden). He did not discourage it but left it to the parents' assessment of their specific situation.