Children (who did not reach puberty) are not commanded to fast. However, their parents
or guardians are strongly recommended to encourage them to fast few days so that
they get used to it and they grow up knowing of the worship of fasting as they would
know that of praying. In fact this was the practise of the first women of Islam
who were living around the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. An example of
that is ar-Rubayya' bint Mu'awiyyah who reported that: "The Messenger of Allah,salla
Allahu alaihi wa sallam, sent a man on the morning of the day of 'Ashurah, to the
residences of the Ansar, saying: 'Whoever has spent the morning fasting is to complete
his fast. Whoever has not spent this morning fasting should voluntary fast for the
remainder of the day.' We fasted after that announcement, as did our young children.
We would go to the mosque and make toys stuffed with cotton for them to play with.
If one of them started crying due to hunger, we would give them a toy to play with
until it was time to eat." [al-Bukhari and Muslim.]
Dear muslims remember that among the seven that Allah will shade under His shade
onthe Day of Judgement is a young man who grew up in the worship of Allah. Therefore
let your children be one of these.
There are many ways to educate your children about Ramadan, the best and most important
of which is to set the good example by fasting properly and behaving according to
the Prophetic teachings. This is what your children will take from you first. When
you are fulfilling this you can very easily [and they will accept it and practise
it easilly as well] teach them what you want. Here are few tips that you can use
with your children [you can think of others as well]:
- Depending on their age encourage them to fast a number of days upto every other
day or more for those who are almost at the age of puberty. For those who are still
young let them fast a day or two and praise them in front of friends and relatives
for their achivement.
- Let your children go with their father to the Masjid for Maghrib prayer and break
the fast with the larger Muslim community to make them feel the gretness of fasting
and the unity of Muslims in worshipping Allah.
- If your children cannot fast let them eat with you at the time of Maghrib and teach
them that you are breaking the fast even if they ate before.
- Teach your children the supplication of breaking the fast
- Take your children to the Taraweeh prayer so that they get used it and know about
it from their early age. They may sit or stay in the back of the prayer room if
they get tired.
- Teach them to give charity. Do it in front of them and tell them you are doing it
because the reward increases in Ramadan.
- Teach them to recite Qur'an regularily and inform them that the Prophet
used to do that in Ramadan.
- Correct them if they behave wrongly or say unaccaptable words and remind them that
they are fasting ot they are in Ramadan and this may alter their reward.
- Wake them up for Suhoor [even if they don't fast] and Fajr prayer.
- Teach them to feed the people fasting and tell them about the reward for that.
- Dress them in the best clothes, give them a bath and take them with you to the Eid
Prayer. Teach them that this is our feast and celebration and that christmas, easter,
thanksgiving and other holidays are not ours. Stress the distinction.
and remember that the Prophet salla allahu alaihi wa sallam said:
"One who is given the responsibility of the bringing up of daughters and treats
them well will be a shield for him from Hell. [Bukhari and Muslim]
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