Can parents hit their children in Islam? This is the limit – Darul Ma’arif Islamic Boarding School

Darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, July 21, 2025 | 08.00 WIB

In the midst of the issue of domestic violence that is increasingly sticking out in the community, not a few parents – especially religious people – ask: Can you hit your child to educate? Is there an argument in Islam that allows parents to hit children who break the rules or lazy worship?

This question is importantBecause in educating children, sometimes a difficult situation emerges between affection and firmness. Especially in the current digital era, children are often diverted from religious values, including lazy prayer or impolite to both parents.

Then, what exactly is the Islamic view of this? Let’s look at the following explanation until complete.

The Prophet was encouraged to hit a child who left prayer

Rosululloh SAW said:

Convey your children with prayer, and they are seven years old sons, and bring them to them, and they are ten sons, and separate them from them

Meaning: “Order your children to pray at the age of seven years, and defeat them (if they leave) pray at the age of ten. And separate their beds.” (Clock. Imam Abu Dawud and At Tirmidzi, with Sanad Shohih)

This hadith shows that shot as a form of education allowed in Islam, but not as a form of violencebut proportional educational pressure.

The views of the scholars of Shaykh Madzhab: can be about, but there are conditions

Imam Nawawi explains in the book of Al-Majmū ‘(Juz 3/13):

(As for the decision on this issue), so anyone who does not require him to pray is not ordered by his actions, both not positive or scarring except the boy and the boy, they will be ordered by scars if he reaches seven years and they are distinguished, and they attack to leave it if they reach ten years.

Meaning: “People who are not obliged to pray are not ordered to carry it out, both compulsory or sunnah, except for small male and female children. They are ordered to pray as a recommended when they are seven years old and have been tamyiz (can distinguish), and may be beaten if they leave prayers at the age of ten years.”

Imam Shafi’i himself in the book al-mukhtashor confirm:

Parents must discipline their children, teach them purity and prayer, and attack them if they object

Meaning: “It is mandatory for fathers and mothers to educate their children, teach purity and prayers, and hit them on it if they have been intelligent.”

While Imam Rofi’i said:

Imam said: Parents must teach their children with purity, prayer and law after seven years, and defeat them to leave them after ten years

Meaning: “The priests state: Mandatory for fathers and mothers teach purifier, prayer, and other Sharia after the age of seven years, and hit them if they leave it after the age of ten years.”

The term hitting children in Islam

Islam does not allow to hit children. Available Terms and Ethics What must be considered:

1. There is a strong suspicion of the emergence of real benefit From the blow (not emotional or outlet).
2. The blow must be lightNot painful, did not make a wound, and not burdensome.
3. Not hitting the facehead, or body parts that are easily injured.
4. Shots can only be done when there is no other way To make children understand mistakes.

Vital Records:

If it turns out Children Don’t Be Good Although beaten lightly, then it can’t be beaten at all. Because The shot was just an educational aidnot a goal. If the goal is not achieved, then the facility will fall, as explained by the Fuqoha.

Education must be based on wisdom, not emotions

Hit children in Islam not a form of violenceBut The last method In educating when soft ways are no longer effective. However, this must be done with knowledge, affection, and high self -control. Islam educates children not by violence, but with wisdom and with the aim of benefit.

May we as parents be able to be patient educators, intelligent, and affectionate for our children. Because every child is a mandate that must be maintained, not a place to carry out the emotions of parents.

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.