When must we teach our children how to pray and to read Qur'an?

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

Parents and guardians are required to teach the pubescent young the true belief in Allah, His angels, Books, Messenger and the Hereafter, the correct way of performing purity and prayer, observing fast and so on.

The Prophet said: “Order your children to pray when they reach the age of seven; beat them (if they do not pray) when they reach the age of ten, and have them sleep separately.”

Children also have to know the prohibition of Zina (fornication and adultery) homosexuality, theft, telling lies, backbiting, drinking wine and so on. They are to know that by reaching the age of puberty, as at this age, they become responsible for their actions.

Imparting the above-mentioned knowledge, according to the four schools, constitutes an obligation of parents to their children. Other scholars believe it is desirable.

Here is an evidence that proves that teaching the pubescent young is obligatory. Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…} [Quran 66:6]

‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, Mujaahid and Qatadah said: 'This means that you are to teach them what saves them from the Hellfire.'

Besides, Ibn 'Umar narrated that the Prophet said: “Everyone of you is a guardian and responsible for his subjects (the people under his guardianship.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn al-'Arabi said: ‘The young one is a charge under his parents' guardianship; his pure heart/mind is a knowledge - free, valuable jewel that can be used for every beneficial/harmful knowledge. So, if parents teach him what is good, he will be on the same way forever – Allah willing, and will be happy in this worldly life and the Hereafter; his parents and teachers will share with him the reward, and vice versa. In addition, parents have to do their best to safeguard their children from the torment of this life, and safeguarding them from the torture of the Hereafter is more needed and important. In other words, parents have to educate their children in accordance with good morals, keep them away from bad friends, teach them to take only what they need from the bounties of this life to the extent that help them to avoid being accustomed to this life and its pleasure. These efforts will help them spend their lives in what is beneficial, not in worldly concerns that lead one to destruction.

Children also have to know how to swim and to use means of power such as modern arms, etc.

In this concern, 'Umar said: “Teach your children how to swim and use arms (revelry, javelin, sharp shooting, archery…), and order them to jump over horses.”

Allah knows best.