Rules of fasting for children in Ramadan

Rules of fasting for children in Ramadan

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Islam is a religion that addresses the issues of all people from both sexes and all ages. It tackles the issues related to each group and worship.

This encouraged some scholars to compile books that contain the different rules for various sectors of society, such as women, the elderly and children.

All these rules were earlier found in books of jurisprudence, but were not classified as per the subject.

Rightfully, women's rules gained the utmost attention. Many books were dedicated to them, while interest in special rules for the elderly started much later. One of the most important books for the elderly is The Issue and Rules of the Elderly by Dr Sa'ad Al Deen Al Hilali.

The rules for children also got their share of attention, with a book dedicated to them titled Youngsters' Rules by Al Asroshani, which is considered a valuable source.

Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was known to address children and guide them. When Abdullah Bin Abbas was young, the Prophet told him:

"O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone]. And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried."

The Prophet's advice to Bin Abbas shows his keenness to teach children their religion.

In another incident, a woman asked Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) if her child could perform Haj, to which he replied, "Yes, and you will be rewarded."

As children grow up, their rules gradually change to suit their age and understanding, but early guidance is highly encouraged in Islam.

One of the main pillars

With regards to prayer, one of the main pillars of Islam, the Prophet (PBUH) instructs Muslims to: "Order your children to pray at the age of seven. And beat them [lightly] if they do not do so by the age of ten, and separate them in their bedding," which means separating boys and girls.

The first part of the Hadeeth (Prophet's sayings) instructs Muslims to guide their children gradually, starting with instruction and increasing firmness as children grow up. This does not mean encouraging physical punishment for children, as punishment is only used on those who are fully responsible, which only happens after they reach adulthood.

One of the Prophet's Hadeeth says that no responsibility lies upon a sleeping person until he wakes up, a boy until he reaches adolescence and a senile person until he regains his sanity.

Scholars, who explained the Hadeeth said the meaning of it is to guide and discipline children, not to force them, because they are not held responsible for their acts.

Another point to the same effect is that Asroshani, the scholar who gathered the rules for children in one book, said the beating must be light. "For prayers, only the hand may be used in striking, not wooden sticks, and not more than three times."

This is derived from the guidance of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who instructed a teacher not to strike a child more than three times, or else face God's punishment.

And finally, education specialists who studied the effects of physical punishment did not prove that beating is an effective disciplinary method. They agreed that it can cause resentment, and thus it is an ineffective way to encourage children to pray.

Although, all these points discourage beating, they do not justify negligence when it comes to urging children and grownups alike to pray.

The Quran says in Surat Taha, Verse 132: "Enjoin prayer on thy people, and be constant therein."

As for fasting, the ruling is very clear. Fasting becomes an obligation only after adulthood, but training and encouraging children to fast is logical and acceptable, provided it is not exaggerated, as children are weaker and need regular food for their mental and physical growth and health.

Each parent can judge the ability of his child after seeking medical opinion, because Islamic legislation is based on causing no harm. The rules that apply to prayer, such as light beating, do not apply to fasting. Guidance and encouragement are the only means that can be used when instructing children to fast.

Children like to do what adults do because it makes them feel grown up, and usually they do not like to eat during Ramadan days because this separates them from adults. This is why they can easily be trained to start fasting with some encouragement.

Dr Ezzeddine Ebrahim is a Cultural Advisor at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

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