Question:
A hadith attributed to the Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has been reported regarding the child, stating that he said: “Play with him for seven [years], discipline him for seven, befriend him for seven, then leave his rope on his shoulder [i.e., grant him full freedom].” This is frequently cited as an argument against some parents who are strict with their children when they deviate or fall short in performing the congregational prayers. What is the degree of authenticity of this hadith? May Allah reward you.
Answer by Shaykh Abdul Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz:
This hadith has no basis (la asla lahu) and is not known [in the authoritative collections]; rather, it is among the fabricated narrations—we ask Allah for safety. “Play with him for seven, discipline him for seven, befriend him for seven”—all of this has no basis, and Allah is the One whose help is sought.
The Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, and beat them [lightly] for [neglecting] it when they are ten, and arrange their beds separately.” Thus, the parent is commanded to care for his children, direct them toward good, and discipline them with physical correction when necessary after the age of ten, and he should never abandon them, even when they grow up. And Allah is the One whose help is sought.
(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna)