By Ishola Balogun

Are you encouraging your children and wards to fast? It is important to inculcate the habith of carrying out all acts of ibadaah in your children. They are what you make them to be. Although there is no specific age when fasting in Ramadan becomes compulsory for children, many scholars are of the view that the age when children should start fasting is when they are between 10 and 12 years old. If they are encouraged at this age, they will get used to it.

Some scholars are of the view that it should even be earlier drawing inference from the Prophet sayings that children should be scolded or even punished if they fail to perform salat at the age of eight. Ramadan no doubt, is an important part of the pillar of Islam. But fasting is harder, so attention should be paid to when the child becomes able to physically handle it, because some who are able to pray may not be able to fast.

Let them also feel the pangs of hunger even if they will not fast to dusk. Encourage them especially when they are at home for possible monitoring. However, care should be taken to ensure that it is not harmful to them. For children who have never fasted, many people usually start the process early and gradually to ensure that they get used to staying hungry and thirsty for extended periods of time and that it doesn’t harm them.

Some scholars said: “If he is able to fast for three consecutive days without interruption and without becoming weak, then he should be made to fast Ramadan.   Apart from taking to the dogmatic unspecified age bracket for fasting among children, it is recommended that if the child has not reached puberty, he or she is not obliged to fast, but if he or she is able to do it without hardship, then he or she should be encouraged to do so.

The companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) used to make their children fast, and sometimes if they cried, they would give them toys to distract them. But they will make them break the fast if it is becoming harmful to them.

Again, If Allah has forbidden us to give youngsters their wealth if there is the fear that they may abuse it, then it is more appropriate that they be stopped from doing something if there is the fear of physical harm.

‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to one who was intoxicated during Ramadan: “Woe to you! Even our children are fasting!” And he hit him. [Narrated by al-Bukhari in a mu’allaq report, on children and fasting.

Lastly, remember the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The reward for all the actions of the son of Adam are multiplied (from anywhere between) ten times to seven hundred times). ). [Agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Also, in a hadith Qudsee: Allah says

(…except for fasting, then it is for Me and I will give reward for it; He left off his desires and his food for My sake. For the fasting person there are two pleasures: his pleasure at the time of breaking his fast and his pleasure when he meets his Lord. And the smell emanating from the mouth of the one who is fasting is better in the Sight of Allah than the smell of musk). Let the children benefit from the rewards of Allah. Ramadan Kereem.