Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Farhad Pourkeyvan
• Mohammad Hossein Sharifi

Department of Jurisprudence and Principles of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Jurisprudence and Principles of Jurisprudence, Al-Mustafa Open University, Qom, Iran.

Abstract

SUBJECT & OBJECTIVES:  Educating an intact generation in line with the educational standards of the jurisprudence of the Ahlul Bayt is among the functions of the family in Islam. In this respect, verses and traditions denote imposing obligations on parents. Families’ probable lack of cognition with responsibilities on this important issue is considered among the blemishes of the contemporary age. Excluding the problem from the intra-textual issues in jurisprudential books toward an independent paper is regarded as an applied, fundamental, and necessary objective.
METHOD & FINDING:  Employing an analytical qualitative method with a critical approach, this study systematically evaluates the validity of children's proxy worship, citing Qur'anic verses and traditions, within the framework of Imamiyah jurisprudence.  The findings reveal a nuanced position: children's acts of worship by proxy in obligatory devotional acts are not valid for discharging the obligation of the person represented, as no decisive proof exists to extend such validity to discerning children. However, in recommended and supererogatory acts, dedicating the reward to parents is fully valid. Beyond the jurisprudential ruling, this practice carries significant educational impacts, including creating spiritual affinity, facilitating internalization of religious values, fostering responsibility, establishing emotional connections with worship, strengthening religious identity, and preparing children for direct assumption of obligations at puberty.
CONCLUSION:  Accordingly, children’s acts of worship are legalized in Islamic Shari’a, and their performing by proxy is merely valid if done through dedicating the reward, i.e., in respect of canceling obligations, it is inadequate for one being represented. This gradual, love-based mechanism empowers parents to fulfill their duty of religious education through observation and emotional engagement. The practice cultivates stable religious identity and fortifies future generations against cultural challenges.

Keywords

• Acts of Worship
• Acts of Worship by Proxy
• Children's Acts of Worship
• Religious Education
• Religious Education of Children

Main Subjects

• Education and Social Ethics

OPEN ACCESS

©2025 The author(s). This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third-party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this license, visit:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/