I say, and with God's success: Children, both boys and girls, are commanded to pray when they reach the age of seven years, and they are to be struck for it at the age of ten with the hand, and it should not exceed three strikes with the hand; out of gentleness towards them, and as a reprimand according to one's ability. The striking should be with the hand and not with a stick; because striking with a stick is for a wrongdoing committed by someone accountable, and there is no wrongdoing from a small child, and this striking is obligatory. It was narrated by Sabrata that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Teach the boy prayer at the age of seven, and strike him for it at the age of ten," in Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2: 259, and he said: it is good and authentic, and in Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2: 102, and Al-Mustadrak 1: 389. And from Amr ibn Shu'ayb from his father from his grandfather, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Command them to pray at seven years, and strike them for it at ten years, and separate them in their sleeping places," in Sunan al-Bayhaqi al-Kabir 2: 229, and Sunan al-Daraqutni 1: 231, and Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat 4: 256, and Musnad Ahmad 2: 187, and Musnad al-Harith 1: 238, and there is some discussion about its chain as mentioned in Talqih al-Habir 1: 185, and Nasb al-Rayah 1: 298, and Kashf al-Khafa 2: 266. See: Hashiyat al-Tahawi p. 174, and Al-Maraqiy p. 173-174, and God knows best.