Dubai
For Chaudhry Mohammad Aslam and wife Rabia Naveed, from Pakistan, Ramadan is a special time as their three children — daughters Zainab, 15, Ayesham, 13, and son Huzaifa, 11 — observe the fast along with them with exemplary devotion.
What makes it particularly special is that Zainab and Huzaifa, both diagnosed with cerebral palsy, have voluntarily chosen to observe the Ramadan fast and so follow in their parents’ footsteps of worship and piety as they nurture their own spiritual progress.
Zainab and Huzaifa’s condition, said their father Aslam, has affected their ability to handle their body movement and keep their balance.
The sister and brother go to the Rashid Centre for the Disabled.
“My children require constant assistance, especially during Ramadan, when it can get a bit more challenging as they require extra care because they too observe the fast with us from dusk to dawn.” said Aslam, who works as a salesperson and is based in Dubai.
Aslam believes that he and his wife get their daily strength and determination from knowing how blessed they are to have Zainab and Huzaifa in their lives. The two children have voluntarily chosen to fast along with their parents and their 13-year-old sister, Ayesham, when each turned seven years old.
Their mother, Rabia, spends most of her time with them while Aslam is at work, and to her, the everyday challenges of taking care of two children with the same condition has become part of her routine.
‘My children show more patience in Ramadan’
Rabia has to shadow Zainab and Huzaifa from the moment they wake up until it’s time for them to go to bed; and she approaches this aspect of mothering, and her own schedule during Ramadan with equanimity.
“We have to be by their side all the time,” said Rabia.
“Huzaifa and Zainab, however, have become more patient at this time and they try their best to make it easier for me, because they know that I’m also fasting. Zainab, for example, loves to contribute with the housework and in preparing iftar for her siblings,” she said.
“I always try to teach them to become independent and to try and do things on their own.” When it’s time for prayers, Rabia says she assists her children with ablution and arranging their prayer mats.
“We are very dedicated to guiding them on how to keep their fast and do their prayers, and they themselves love to do it. They complete their five prayers and read the Quran on a daily basis,” she said.
When Aslam is back from his work, Huzaifa insists on joining him for Taraweeh prayers. “I carry my son to the mosque every day for Taraweeh prayers,” said Aslam. “They know the importance of this month and are always keen to learn more about it.”
For the parents, the upbringing of their children is more than just facing up to the challenges. “Our patience and the strength to attend to them and nurture them comes from God. As a family, we feel blessed in so many ways and we believe they are in our life for a reason,” he added.
