Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Enter Question
View By Subject
Fatwa Of The Week
Selected Fatwa
Fatwa CenterRuling of the Athaan made by the one who does not reach the age of puberty
Question
Sometimes, I observe in some small mosques and those found under residential buildings that the ones who call the Athaan most times are just boys of eight or even thirteen years of age. At some other times, it is made by anyone of those who pass by the mosque because there is no appointed Imaam or guard for the mosque. What is the ruling and validity of this Athaan?
Answer
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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
According to the Hanafi, Shaafi‘i and Hanbali scholars, it is permissible that a boy who is able to discern but has not yet reached the age of puberty calls the Athaan. This is the correct opinion. Its proof is that ‘Abdullaah ibn Abi Bakr ibn Anas ibn Maalik used to call the Athaan while he had not yet reached the age of puberty. This occurred without any denial from his grandfather, Anas ibn Maalik 
or anyone else. Ibn Qudaamah 
said: “This was a very well known matter and was not denied by anyone and thus it is considered consensus.”
The Maaliki scholars viewed that the Athaan cannot be called by a discerning boy unless he depends upon the aid of a mature person regarding determining the time and the way the Athaan is called.
There is absolutely no doubt that it is better to have a regular Mu’aththin and Imaam in every mosque. However, if neither of them are present, then there is no problem that any Muslim of those who are free from impediments set by Sharee‘ah calls the Athaan.
Accordingly, there is no harm in what the questioner asked, while it is better that every mosque should have a regular Mu‘aththin who meets the conditions required of the Mu’athin. We have to draw attention to an important matter which is the opinion of the Maaliki scholars in this question. Although those who adopt it are few from among other scholars, it should be taken into careful consideration. This is because people depend on the Athaan of the Mu’aththin in observing fasting and prayer, so it should not be assigned to someone who has not reached the age of puberty.
Search Fatwa
Fatwa Subject
