Short answer
In practice, no. The Hanafi texts let a teacher give at most three light, harmless taps by hand, and only with the parent's permission. Where the law forbids physical punishment in schools, as it does in many countries, a teacher must not hit at all. Any beating that hurts, marks or humiliates a child is haram, and parents should act.
A teacher has no independent right to strike a child; classical texts allow it only with the guardian's permission, by hand, no more than three light taps, avoiding the face. Exceeding this is sinful and makes the teacher liable for harm. Obeying the law that bans corporal punishment is also required.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Aishah said the Prophet ﷺ never struck a woman or a servant with his hand, and he said that Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in every matter. The main hadith that mentions disciplining a child is about prayer at ten, and the scholars wrapped it in strict limits. The four schools agree that harming a child is forbidden.
What the Hanafi scholars allowed, and why it does not apply today:
- The teacher acted only as the parent's agent, with the parent's permission.
- No more than three light taps, with the hand, not a stick.
- Never the face, never in anger, never leaving a mark.
- Today most parents do not give that permission, and in many countries hitting pupils is a crime. A teacher bound by such laws must keep them.
What parents should do:
- Ask any madrasa directly about its discipline policy before enrolling.
- Tell your child that no teacher is allowed to hit them, and to tell you if it happens.
- If your child is hit or hurt, speak to the madrasa leadership. If it is serious or continues, report it to the authorities. Protecting a child comes before a teacher's reputation.
A child who is beaten while learning the Quran may come to fear it. Gentle teachers, praise and small rewards produce more huffaz, not fewer. See hitting children in Islam and child abuse.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:159
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ﴿١٥٩﴾
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].
Harshness drives people away from the teacher and the message.
Sahih Muslim 2593
Sahih... إن الله رفيق يحب الرفق ...
"Allah is gentle and loves gentleness."
Gentleness is the way of teaching.
Sunan Abi Dawud 495
Graded hasan sahih... واضربوهم عليها وهم أبناء عشر ...
"And discipline them for it when they are ten."
The main mention of disciplining children, which the scholars restricted strictly.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Salah, opening section. Discipline at ten is by hand, not with a stick, and not more than three.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hudud, chapter on ta'zir. A teacher strikes only with the guardian's permission and is liable for harm beyond the customary limit.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.