Assalaamu alaykum. Is there a problem if a child that has not yet reached the age of seven (maybe three, four, or five years old) performs the movements of the prayer, without having performed ablution, in a row in the mosque or at home, in order to instill love of the prayer in the child?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The child at this age has not yet reached the age of distinction, so there is neither reward nor punishment for him in what he does. Hence, one should not order him to pray or do any other act of worship, but one should order him to do these acts of worship when he reaches the age of distinction, which is seven years of age.

The Prophet said, “Order your children to perform the prayer when they reach seven years of age.” [Abu Daawood, at-Tirmithi, Ibn Maajah and an-Nasaa’i]

For more benefit, please refer to fataawa 84407and 34342.

However, a child is not prevented from doing the movements of the prayer, even without ablution, because he is not held accountable for his deeds, as we have already mentioned, especially if letting him do so makes the prayer beloved to him and instills its glorification in his heart, among other benefits.

Allaah knows best.