Children, both boys and girls, should be commanded to pray when they reach the age of seven, and they should be disciplined for not praying at the age of ten with the hand, not exceeding three strikes with the hand; gently with them, and as a deterrent according to his ability. The discipline should be with the hand, not with a stick, because using a stick is for an offense committed by someone accountable, and there is no offense from the young child. This discipline is obligatory; as narrated by Sabrata, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Teach the child to pray at seven years, and discipline him for it at ten," in Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2: 259, and he said: Hasan Sahih, and Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2: 102, and Al-Mustadrak 1: 389. And from Amr ibn Shu'ayb from his father from his grandfather, may Allah be pleased with them, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Command them to pray at seven years, and discipline them for it at ten years, and separate them in beds," in Sunan al-Bayhaqi al-Kubra 2: 229, Sunan al-Daraqutni 1: 231, Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat 4: 256, Musnad Ahmad 2: 187, Musnad al-Harith 1: 238, and there is discussion in its chain as in Talkhis al-Habir 1: 185, Nasb al-Raya 1: 298, and Kashf al-Khafa 2: 266. See: Hashiyat al-Tahawi p.174, and Al-Maraqi p.173-174.