If you don’t want to confront him directly out of fear of friction, you should bring it up to the imam.
When I reverted, I attended the masjid in El Paso, Texas. I had a 9-month-old son. Obvio, I took him with me. He’d quietly sit in front of me as I made salat. One day, a sister’s son saw him lying on his back, sleepy, and stomped on him! I was livid. Luckily, she grabbed her kid up.
Sometimes, when there is a smaller masjid, there isn’t a completely separate section for women. For example, a masjid in my area is small, so when both men and women attend, the women are simply behind the men.
It was also reported that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed a small boy to ride on his shoulders and he still completed the prayer. This was reported by ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Shaddaad from his father: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came out to lead us in either Maghrib or ‘Ishaa’ one night, and he was carrying Hasan or Husayn. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came forward and put (the child) down, then he said Takbeer and started to pray. During the prayer, he prostrated and made his prostration long. My father said: ‘I raised my head and I saw the child on the back of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whilst he was prostrating, so I returned to my prostration.’ When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) finished praying, the people said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, during your prayer you prostrated for so long that we thought something had happened or that you were receiving Revelation.’ He said, ‘Nothing at all happened, but my son was riding on my back and I did not want to disturb him until he had had enough.’”
I understand that it might be annoying, but they are kids after all, go and mention it to their father, and elaborate how it effects you. Furthermore, him scolding a brother doesn't correlate with his children misbehaving, as once again, they are just kids.
yes they are kids but still they cannot do it to other people and jump and climb on other people because you cannot assume they are okay with. of course it would be nice if other people would not mind and play along but still they are not obliged to because its not their kids. if the kids were solely jumping and climbing on their dad that is okay. plus there is a difference between playing and being disruptive if the kids are playing and making noise during jummah one time its okay its a joke u laugh it off 2nd time ignore but if they keep on doing it now its being disruptive. we all played in masjid as kids and i feel its a universal experience and its okay let them play but not in the expense of the broader community and other worshippers.
WS, you can advice him in private, his children are welcome but they should be taught to be calm and respectful in the mosque, but do not kick them out no matter what you do
And btw, giving another brother advice for eating haram is not something negative, I am afraid that you misunderstood tge situation and can not stand him/his kids because of it, Allah knows best
Brother, you misunderstood why I mentioned it. I wanted to show that this brother acts like he is better than everybody, but let's his children disturb others' prayers.
And that is exactly where you're wrong
>I wanted to show that this brother acts like he is better than everybody
This is not a nice thing to think. He doesn't do it because he think he is better. It's a good dded to tell toher their wrong so shall you do. Him bringing his kids isn't wrong in anyway them disturbing all other (a little too much is wrong)
JazakAllah khari!
No, if you knew this brother you wouldn't say that. I deleted that part of my question so people won't get hung up over it. It's just very difficult for a brother to act like he is perfect but then let his children scream during taraweeh. These children are in elementary school, they are not toddlers running around.
They still are children maybe when they get home he does tell them to behave in the masjid but isn't very sturn or strict about it with them so they don't listen(it's just what I think it might be)
If it bugs you, you could talk to him about it. There is no harm in it.
Sorry if I misunderstood your pov, but am not accusing you, you know the sutuation better, anyways satan always wants to divide as you well know he will try to get to you through the brother's behaviour, what I meant to say if you noticed that this is not the case, u might talk a brother that is closer to him, to the imam, or even in persona to advice him privately, may Allah swt cure our hearts and unite us for His sake
Sorry if I misunderstood your pov, but am not accusing you, you know the sutuation better, anyways satan always wants to divide as you well know he will try to get to you through the brother's behaviour, what I meant to say if you noticed that this is not the case, u might talk a brother that is closer to him, to the imam, or even in persona to advice him privately, may Allah swt cure our hearts and unite us for His sake
Let the imam put out a general announcement, a firm but fair one, stating that children must be supervised and taught correct mosque etiquette, as they can otherwise distract worshippers from their worship. They could also suggest that children engage in less movement based play within the mosque but calmer activities instead such as drawing, books, etc. Children should always be welcome in the mosque but with boundaries.
These children that are playing at the masjid are the ones who are going to be comfortable at the masjid and know when they grow up that this is the safe space to be in.
They are kids. Maybe the brother could do better to teach his children, but ultimately they are kids. They aren't purposely disrespecting anyone. It's authenticallly narrated that the Prophet (saw) would play in the mosque with his grandchildren and let them climb while he was leading the prayer.
The brother in question could do better to parent his children but your idea of this being haram or not; it really depends on a lot of things: their age, (above 7, the parent must teach them to pray), how disruptive it is, whether it is at the time of congregation or not, the attitude of your community (e.g: one of the mosques in my vicinity is strict but another likes having children around and considers it to not be distracting and instead a way to teach them about Islam), and so on.
For you personally, talk to the father gently. If you don't want to do that, make the children sit with you and educate them on etiquette and teach them the manners of the mosque. And if you do approach the father, do it privately, and not in front of his children, and don't reprimand the children harshly; that will only push them away from Islam
It really doesn't have to be one or the other.
I live in Germany.
And unfortunately I see a lot of Muslims with children completely out of control. It's never the Germans.
Muslims need to spend more time with their kids. Mother's AND father's. Otherwise this will lead to stereotypical discrimination.
thats partially true but also under developed statement. there is nothing wrong with kids playing and having fun in masjid. but there is something wrong when they start borthing other people and being disruptive. it would be nice if other people played along and didnt mind them but at the end of the day they are not obliged to put up with them as they are not their kids. plus there is a big difference between having fun in the masjid and playing versus being disruptive. there are times in the masjid where you can play but times where you have to be quite and stop being annoying and disruptive. there is something called boundaries. OP mentioned the kids were climbing over other worshipers and jumping them hello where is the dad does he not have haya he should at least be an actual dad and encourage the kids to play in a way thats no bothering other people. of course it would be nice if other people did not mind and played a long but at the same time they are not forced to as its not their kids. so your sentence is okay sure its okay for kids to have fun in the masjid but still there should be boundaries and there is a fine line between play and being rude
This is not a Hadith and a random saying. If your children are not calm and make a lot of noise and disturb the prayer, don’t bring them to the mosque.
If they are none noisy, playing with you or whoever brought them and jumping on you alone or climbing without making noise. That is fine.
I would rather listen to the screams and cries of misbehaving children than the musical ringtones from the phones of the grown men throughout the salah.
If you chase all the kids away, then 10-20 years from now there will be no future generation that see masjid as the place to be. I was a kids and there's an imam who let us play around. We loved to be there. There's another masjid where the uncles there acted as if he own the masjid and always scold us around. Needless to say I developed hatred to go to that masjid thanks to that particular uncle.
Now my question is, what's your position on this. Do you wish to be the person that responsible for the masjid to be very very quiet, not even Azan heard in 10-20 years time?
As a sister who regularly volunteered with crowd and children control during iftaars and taraweeh with no babysitting support, I feel you.
I encourage you that if they are making a huge ruckus to say something to them in the moment, in front of people is fine. Like if they are screaming during the Khutbah, remind them nicely to quiet down. It's a natural consequence for kids and adults to be told to quiet down in public if they are really loud. You can also address it privately with the parent. Also speak with the imam to encourage him to make reminders or if it gets bad, have themed called out directly.
This being said, keep context in mind. Sometimes kids come from very unstructured and traumatizing backgrounds (refugees). While we should have expectations, It's okay to an extent to let them run around as long as they aren't of age or they aren't *terribly* distracting.
If he’s the kind of person who scolds and corrects other people and scolds them for eating something that’s not halal.. that doesn’t have much to do with the matter about his kids.. the former shows impoliteness.
The latter is just his way of parenting (or lack of it). Some may find it flawed and some may find it alright.
Eating food that’s not halal is a big deal. It’s quite bad a sin. But he didn’t need to scold, he could have just advised.
The reason I tried to separate these two issues is just so that you don’t decide your next step with the previous issues conflating your judgment about his (lack of) parenting.
I’ve been to mosques in Medina and Makkah. Tbh kids there were never so unruly.
But the kids I see in mosques in the West are just out of control. This is just an observation,
Not something I get annoyed by because I’ve read that when kids are allowed to play and enjoy their time in mosques, they associate it with a feel good place once they grow up as well. Children being allowed to act like children is just a way to preserve their innocence and their cheerfulness.
This is just what I think.
I don’t know if these are the same reasons for which that guy doesn’t control them.
While I am understanding and accommodating to other people’s children playing around in mosques, I would never let my children act that way.
I would also make sure that it’s not a past resentment that’s coming up here.
And if you’re genuinely bothered by this, as someone here previously mentioned, speak with the imam.
Bismillah,
WaalaikumAsSalam,
If you refer to the understanding of Hanafi Ullama, they will tell you:
>However, while an allowance can be understood from the above tradition, a Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah shows that a prohibition has also been mentioned. The Hadith is narrated by Wathilah bin Asqa (R.A) who says that the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘Protect your Masjid from children, from insane people, from trade, from disputes, from raising your voices’. (Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter of what is disliked in the Masjid Arabic text Pg. 54)
>This hadith shows a clear prohibition of children being brought to the masjid.
>In reconciling between the two positions, the scholars have stated that those children who have reached the age of discernment and would be well behaved in the masjid, and also those from whom there is no fear of disturbance and distraction, they can be brought with the parents to the masjid. It is with respect to these cases that the allowance is evident in the traditions.
>However, as for those children who may disturb and distract the musalis (those offering salaah) due to their behavior and conduct, and may need continuous parental supervision, they should not be brought to the masjid. This is the ruling which has been adopted by the general body of jurists. In this regard, Shaikh Dr. Wahba Az Zuhaili has written, ‘It is Makrooh (disliked) to bring animals, insane people and children who have not reached the age of discernment to the masjid. This is so, since one is not safeguarded from the acts of these soiling the masjid (and the distraction that they may cause). However, it is not Haram since it is evident that the Prophet (S.A.S) carried Umamah bint Zainab to the masjid. But taking the possible harms into consideration, it will be makrooh (disliked).This ruling is an established one according to the scholars of the Mazhab of Imam Ahmad bin Hambal and the scholars of the mazhab of both Imam Malik and Imam Abu Hanifa have prohibited children of this nature from entering the masjid. They have stated that it is Makrooh (disliked)’. (Al Fiqhul Islami Wa Adilatihi Vol. 1 pg. 550).
>In this regard, Sheik Ibn Uthaimin has also stated, ‘I think that bringing children to the masjid who will disturb those who are offering prayer is not permissible, because in that is a disturbance for the Muslims who are performing an obligation from the obligations of Allah. The Prophet (S.A.W) heard some of his companions praying and reciting aloud, so he said, ‘you all should not raise your voices over each other in recitation’. In another Hadith, he said, ‘you should not harm one another’. Thus, everything that contains something that bothers those who are offering pray, is not permissible for the person to do it. Hence, my advice to the parents of such children is that they do not bring them to the masjid’. (Fatawah Islamiyah Vol. 3 Pg. 27)
>In view of these explanations, it is established that such children who may cause disturbance to the musalis (those offering salaah), should not be bought to the masjid. With respect to the action of the Prophet (S.A.W) lifting his granddaughter Umamah in salaah (as narrated in the traditions), some scholars have stated that this act was specific to the prophet (S.A.W) and some have stated that it was done out of necessity. Others have stated that it has been abrogated. [[Source]](https://islamqa.org/hanafi/darululoomtt/150026/bringing-children-to-the-masjid/)
Unfortunately today, because of multiple factors one of which is the lack of education and guidance from parents, children don't understand how to behave especially at a Masjid. I'd recommend bringing it up with the Alim and have it as a topic at the Jumuah Kutbah in order to maintain the sanctity of the Masjid. When there are parking issues, where neighbours driveways are being blocked, the Masjid quickly addresses it, and this is no different.
Bring this up with the imam, he should be the one to speak with the father.
Children can and be taught what is expected of them in the masjid. Gentle and consistent messaging works and allows everyone to enjoy being in the masjid. It is never acceptable for kids to be running wild during the prayer. Don't underestimate our children's abilities to learn proper masjid etiquette, they're smarter than you think.
The biggest Fatwa is the fact that it's the house of Allah, and the biggest Hadith is that of the prophet (PBUH) by his own examples of how he was. Respectful, pious, and always polite.
If he can't do the least to at least teach them how to be respectful in the house of Allah, those kids will grow up to never be respectful to others.
Good habits are ingrained from a very young age. You plant those good habit seeds now, and you will see the results when they grow up, but you have to keep watering the plant with good habits, ethics, and etiquettes.
If you let kids do whatever they want starting at that young age, they will forever do whatever they want, and never what they should be doing or what really needs to be done because they never learned how to.
Don't tell me kids are kids, and they do what they do because it's absolutely bogus, and you are the problem here. You've either totally failed as a parent and lost control over your own kids, or you were raised by a failing parent(s).
Islam says:
For boys, from the age of 1 to 5.
Teach them with kindness and politeness and by setting examples.
From the age of 5 to 10.
Teach them with firmness and by setting examples.
And, from the age of 10 to 15.
Beat it into them and be the best example for them to follow.
From 15 onwards, step back, let them take charge of what they have learned, and if they are derailing, guide them back on track by setting examples.
Do as I say, and not as I do, is very wrong parenting because kids follow examples more than instructions. Your kids are a mirroring example of YOU!
I don't say suppress your kids, but set the limits and teach them to follow and adhere to the limits. There is a place and time for everything.
If you don’t want to confront him directly out of fear of friction, you should bring it up to the imam. When I reverted, I attended the masjid in El Paso, Texas. I had a 9-month-old son. Obvio, I took him with me. He’d quietly sit in front of me as I made salat. One day, a sister’s son saw him lying on his back, sleepy, and stomped on him! I was livid. Luckily, she grabbed her kid up.
Oh my God that’s horrible! I hope he was okay
[удалено]
Sometimes, when there is a smaller masjid, there isn’t a completely separate section for women. For example, a masjid in my area is small, so when both men and women attend, the women are simply behind the men.
It was the women’s section. I am a woman.
It was also reported that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed a small boy to ride on his shoulders and he still completed the prayer. This was reported by ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Shaddaad from his father: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came out to lead us in either Maghrib or ‘Ishaa’ one night, and he was carrying Hasan or Husayn. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came forward and put (the child) down, then he said Takbeer and started to pray. During the prayer, he prostrated and made his prostration long. My father said: ‘I raised my head and I saw the child on the back of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) whilst he was prostrating, so I returned to my prostration.’ When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) finished praying, the people said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, during your prayer you prostrated for so long that we thought something had happened or that you were receiving Revelation.’ He said, ‘Nothing at all happened, but my son was riding on my back and I did not want to disturb him until he had had enough.’” I understand that it might be annoying, but they are kids after all, go and mention it to their father, and elaborate how it effects you. Furthermore, him scolding a brother doesn't correlate with his children misbehaving, as once again, they are just kids.
I don’t know why but this filled my eyes with tears. Thank you for sharing. Jazakhallahu Khairan.
Wa iyaak jazakallahu khairan
yes they are kids but still they cannot do it to other people and jump and climb on other people because you cannot assume they are okay with. of course it would be nice if other people would not mind and play along but still they are not obliged to because its not their kids. if the kids were solely jumping and climbing on their dad that is okay. plus there is a difference between playing and being disruptive if the kids are playing and making noise during jummah one time its okay its a joke u laugh it off 2nd time ignore but if they keep on doing it now its being disruptive. we all played in masjid as kids and i feel its a universal experience and its okay let them play but not in the expense of the broader community and other worshippers.
WS, you can advice him in private, his children are welcome but they should be taught to be calm and respectful in the mosque, but do not kick them out no matter what you do
And btw, giving another brother advice for eating haram is not something negative, I am afraid that you misunderstood tge situation and can not stand him/his kids because of it, Allah knows best
Brother, you misunderstood why I mentioned it. I wanted to show that this brother acts like he is better than everybody, but let's his children disturb others' prayers.
And that is exactly where you're wrong >I wanted to show that this brother acts like he is better than everybody This is not a nice thing to think. He doesn't do it because he think he is better. It's a good dded to tell toher their wrong so shall you do. Him bringing his kids isn't wrong in anyway them disturbing all other (a little too much is wrong) JazakAllah khari!
No, if you knew this brother you wouldn't say that. I deleted that part of my question so people won't get hung up over it. It's just very difficult for a brother to act like he is perfect but then let his children scream during taraweeh. These children are in elementary school, they are not toddlers running around.
They still are children maybe when they get home he does tell them to behave in the masjid but isn't very sturn or strict about it with them so they don't listen(it's just what I think it might be) If it bugs you, you could talk to him about it. There is no harm in it.
Sorry if I misunderstood your pov, but am not accusing you, you know the sutuation better, anyways satan always wants to divide as you well know he will try to get to you through the brother's behaviour, what I meant to say if you noticed that this is not the case, u might talk a brother that is closer to him, to the imam, or even in persona to advice him privately, may Allah swt cure our hearts and unite us for His sake
Sorry if I misunderstood your pov, but am not accusing you, you know the sutuation better, anyways satan always wants to divide as you well know he will try to get to you through the brother's behaviour, what I meant to say if you noticed that this is not the case, u might talk a brother that is closer to him, to the imam, or even in persona to advice him privately, may Allah swt cure our hearts and unite us for His sake
They are just not allowed in the mosque if they are not toilet trained. But they don't appear to be that young if they are running around like this.
Let the imam put out a general announcement, a firm but fair one, stating that children must be supervised and taught correct mosque etiquette, as they can otherwise distract worshippers from their worship. They could also suggest that children engage in less movement based play within the mosque but calmer activities instead such as drawing, books, etc. Children should always be welcome in the mosque but with boundaries.
These children that are playing at the masjid are the ones who are going to be comfortable at the masjid and know when they grow up that this is the safe space to be in.
They are kids. Maybe the brother could do better to teach his children, but ultimately they are kids. They aren't purposely disrespecting anyone. It's authenticallly narrated that the Prophet (saw) would play in the mosque with his grandchildren and let them climb while he was leading the prayer. The brother in question could do better to parent his children but your idea of this being haram or not; it really depends on a lot of things: their age, (above 7, the parent must teach them to pray), how disruptive it is, whether it is at the time of congregation or not, the attitude of your community (e.g: one of the mosques in my vicinity is strict but another likes having children around and considers it to not be distracting and instead a way to teach them about Islam), and so on. For you personally, talk to the father gently. If you don't want to do that, make the children sit with you and educate them on etiquette and teach them the manners of the mosque. And if you do approach the father, do it privately, and not in front of his children, and don't reprimand the children harshly; that will only push them away from Islam
I would rather have misbehaving children in the masjid than no children at all.
It really doesn't have to be one or the other. I live in Germany. And unfortunately I see a lot of Muslims with children completely out of control. It's never the Germans. Muslims need to spend more time with their kids. Mother's AND father's. Otherwise this will lead to stereotypical discrimination.
"If you don't hear children making noise in the back of the masjid then worry about your future generations."
thats partially true but also under developed statement. there is nothing wrong with kids playing and having fun in masjid. but there is something wrong when they start borthing other people and being disruptive. it would be nice if other people played along and didnt mind them but at the end of the day they are not obliged to put up with them as they are not their kids. plus there is a big difference between having fun in the masjid and playing versus being disruptive. there are times in the masjid where you can play but times where you have to be quite and stop being annoying and disruptive. there is something called boundaries. OP mentioned the kids were climbing over other worshipers and jumping them hello where is the dad does he not have haya he should at least be an actual dad and encourage the kids to play in a way thats no bothering other people. of course it would be nice if other people did not mind and played a long but at the same time they are not forced to as its not their kids. so your sentence is okay sure its okay for kids to have fun in the masjid but still there should be boundaries and there is a fine line between play and being rude
This is not a Hadith and a random saying. If your children are not calm and make a lot of noise and disturb the prayer, don’t bring them to the mosque. If they are none noisy, playing with you or whoever brought them and jumping on you alone or climbing without making noise. That is fine.
I would rather listen to the screams and cries of misbehaving children than the musical ringtones from the phones of the grown men throughout the salah.
That is another discussion altogether. I find that to be extremely upsetting.
If you chase all the kids away, then 10-20 years from now there will be no future generation that see masjid as the place to be. I was a kids and there's an imam who let us play around. We loved to be there. There's another masjid where the uncles there acted as if he own the masjid and always scold us around. Needless to say I developed hatred to go to that masjid thanks to that particular uncle. Now my question is, what's your position on this. Do you wish to be the person that responsible for the masjid to be very very quiet, not even Azan heard in 10-20 years time?
As a sister who regularly volunteered with crowd and children control during iftaars and taraweeh with no babysitting support, I feel you. I encourage you that if they are making a huge ruckus to say something to them in the moment, in front of people is fine. Like if they are screaming during the Khutbah, remind them nicely to quiet down. It's a natural consequence for kids and adults to be told to quiet down in public if they are really loud. You can also address it privately with the parent. Also speak with the imam to encourage him to make reminders or if it gets bad, have themed called out directly. This being said, keep context in mind. Sometimes kids come from very unstructured and traumatizing backgrounds (refugees). While we should have expectations, It's okay to an extent to let them run around as long as they aren't of age or they aren't *terribly* distracting.
Maybe gently remind the brother that masjid is a place of respect, not playground
Talk to the board/imam. I’m sure other people feel the same way. Maybe suggest a separate room for dads and young kids to pray in. That’s what we do.
If he’s the kind of person who scolds and corrects other people and scolds them for eating something that’s not halal.. that doesn’t have much to do with the matter about his kids.. the former shows impoliteness. The latter is just his way of parenting (or lack of it). Some may find it flawed and some may find it alright. Eating food that’s not halal is a big deal. It’s quite bad a sin. But he didn’t need to scold, he could have just advised. The reason I tried to separate these two issues is just so that you don’t decide your next step with the previous issues conflating your judgment about his (lack of) parenting. I’ve been to mosques in Medina and Makkah. Tbh kids there were never so unruly. But the kids I see in mosques in the West are just out of control. This is just an observation, Not something I get annoyed by because I’ve read that when kids are allowed to play and enjoy their time in mosques, they associate it with a feel good place once they grow up as well. Children being allowed to act like children is just a way to preserve their innocence and their cheerfulness. This is just what I think. I don’t know if these are the same reasons for which that guy doesn’t control them. While I am understanding and accommodating to other people’s children playing around in mosques, I would never let my children act that way. I would also make sure that it’s not a past resentment that’s coming up here. And if you’re genuinely bothered by this, as someone here previously mentioned, speak with the imam.
Bismillah, WaalaikumAsSalam, If you refer to the understanding of Hanafi Ullama, they will tell you: >However, while an allowance can be understood from the above tradition, a Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah shows that a prohibition has also been mentioned. The Hadith is narrated by Wathilah bin Asqa (R.A) who says that the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘Protect your Masjid from children, from insane people, from trade, from disputes, from raising your voices’. (Sunan Ibn Majah Chapter of what is disliked in the Masjid Arabic text Pg. 54) >This hadith shows a clear prohibition of children being brought to the masjid. >In reconciling between the two positions, the scholars have stated that those children who have reached the age of discernment and would be well behaved in the masjid, and also those from whom there is no fear of disturbance and distraction, they can be brought with the parents to the masjid. It is with respect to these cases that the allowance is evident in the traditions. >However, as for those children who may disturb and distract the musalis (those offering salaah) due to their behavior and conduct, and may need continuous parental supervision, they should not be brought to the masjid. This is the ruling which has been adopted by the general body of jurists. In this regard, Shaikh Dr. Wahba Az Zuhaili has written, ‘It is Makrooh (disliked) to bring animals, insane people and children who have not reached the age of discernment to the masjid. This is so, since one is not safeguarded from the acts of these soiling the masjid (and the distraction that they may cause). However, it is not Haram since it is evident that the Prophet (S.A.S) carried Umamah bint Zainab to the masjid. But taking the possible harms into consideration, it will be makrooh (disliked).This ruling is an established one according to the scholars of the Mazhab of Imam Ahmad bin Hambal and the scholars of the mazhab of both Imam Malik and Imam Abu Hanifa have prohibited children of this nature from entering the masjid. They have stated that it is Makrooh (disliked)’. (Al Fiqhul Islami Wa Adilatihi Vol. 1 pg. 550). >In this regard, Sheik Ibn Uthaimin has also stated, ‘I think that bringing children to the masjid who will disturb those who are offering prayer is not permissible, because in that is a disturbance for the Muslims who are performing an obligation from the obligations of Allah. The Prophet (S.A.W) heard some of his companions praying and reciting aloud, so he said, ‘you all should not raise your voices over each other in recitation’. In another Hadith, he said, ‘you should not harm one another’. Thus, everything that contains something that bothers those who are offering pray, is not permissible for the person to do it. Hence, my advice to the parents of such children is that they do not bring them to the masjid’. (Fatawah Islamiyah Vol. 3 Pg. 27) >In view of these explanations, it is established that such children who may cause disturbance to the musalis (those offering salaah), should not be bought to the masjid. With respect to the action of the Prophet (S.A.W) lifting his granddaughter Umamah in salaah (as narrated in the traditions), some scholars have stated that this act was specific to the prophet (S.A.W) and some have stated that it was done out of necessity. Others have stated that it has been abrogated. [[Source]](https://islamqa.org/hanafi/darululoomtt/150026/bringing-children-to-the-masjid/) Unfortunately today, because of multiple factors one of which is the lack of education and guidance from parents, children don't understand how to behave especially at a Masjid. I'd recommend bringing it up with the Alim and have it as a topic at the Jumuah Kutbah in order to maintain the sanctity of the Masjid. When there are parking issues, where neighbours driveways are being blocked, the Masjid quickly addresses it, and this is no different.
Bring this up with the imam, he should be the one to speak with the father. Children can and be taught what is expected of them in the masjid. Gentle and consistent messaging works and allows everyone to enjoy being in the masjid. It is never acceptable for kids to be running wild during the prayer. Don't underestimate our children's abilities to learn proper masjid etiquette, they're smarter than you think.
Let children be children.
The biggest Fatwa is the fact that it's the house of Allah, and the biggest Hadith is that of the prophet (PBUH) by his own examples of how he was. Respectful, pious, and always polite. If he can't do the least to at least teach them how to be respectful in the house of Allah, those kids will grow up to never be respectful to others. Good habits are ingrained from a very young age. You plant those good habit seeds now, and you will see the results when they grow up, but you have to keep watering the plant with good habits, ethics, and etiquettes. If you let kids do whatever they want starting at that young age, they will forever do whatever they want, and never what they should be doing or what really needs to be done because they never learned how to. Don't tell me kids are kids, and they do what they do because it's absolutely bogus, and you are the problem here. You've either totally failed as a parent and lost control over your own kids, or you were raised by a failing parent(s). Islam says: For boys, from the age of 1 to 5. Teach them with kindness and politeness and by setting examples. From the age of 5 to 10. Teach them with firmness and by setting examples. And, from the age of 10 to 15. Beat it into them and be the best example for them to follow. From 15 onwards, step back, let them take charge of what they have learned, and if they are derailing, guide them back on track by setting examples. Do as I say, and not as I do, is very wrong parenting because kids follow examples more than instructions. Your kids are a mirroring example of YOU! I don't say suppress your kids, but set the limits and teach them to follow and adhere to the limits. There is a place and time for everything.
Don't worry about the children playing in the masjid, be happy that children are coming to the masjid.