Is a child's Hac valid, and does it fulfill their farz Hac?

A child's Hac is valid and earns reward, but it does not count as the child's farz Hac. By scholarly consensus (ijma'), a Hac performed before reaching the age of puberty (bulugh) is considered a voluntary (nafl) Hac. When the child grows up and reaches puberty, they are required to perform Hac 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 Hac, 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 ihram on the child's behalf, carries them during Tavaf and Say, 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 Hac or leave them at home. He acknowledged that taking young children can be very challenging during the intense Hac experience, and that the reward of the child's Hac 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.