Teaching a child starts from age of discernment

I have a 3-year-old daughter whom I want to teach the true teachings of Islam. Can I bring a Shaykh to teach her? How could this be done? Is she still too young to learn? What is the appropriate time to teach her?

Fatawa Jan 9, 2023 0 74 Add to Reading List

Teaching a child starts from age of discernment

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.

The appropriate time for teaching children is that when they are able to understand what is said to them. There is no certain age for this; rather, it differs according to the child abilities. Accordingly, if you notice that your daughter accepts knowledge and understands what is said to her, then it is permissible to teach her by yourself or by a teacher. You should follow the right way in teaching her by giving her what is appropriate for her age. You should not teach her difficult things that might make her avert from knowledge. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Be Rabbaaniyyoon (pious scholars of the Lord)} [Quran 3:79]

“The Rabbaani (a pious scholar) is the one who teaches people the minor issues of knowledge before the greater issues.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Allaah Knows best.