Children and Fasting


Someone brought up the topic of children and fasting online and someone responded with great advice from Shaykh Ubaid Al-Jabiri, alhamdulillah, so I thought I would share it here as well as Ramadan draws near.  In the question to the scholar below, someone asks about a woman who made her two year old fast.  This brought to mind of an incident someone related to me about a  woman in her home country of Morocco who had a little girl and made her fast and the girl repeatedly asked her mother for something to eat throughout the day, but the mother told her to just try to hold on a little longer, a little longer, and subhanAllah, later that day the little girl passed away as a result of the fasting.

Benefit: Chart - Who Fasting Is and Isn't Incumbent Upon

Training Children for Worship:
Al-Rubay’ bint Mu’awwidh – Allah be pleased with her – said while describing how the Prophet – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – told them to fast ‘Âshûrâ:
We used to make toys out of dyed wool for the children and keep them with us so if the children asked us for food we would give them the toys to distract them until they completed their fast. Sahîh Muslim. A similar narration is also in Sahîh Al-Bukhârî.
Al-Nawawî states in his commentary on Sahîh Muslim:
In this narration we are shown that children should be trained to do acts of obedience and made used to doing worship; although they are not legally bound.
Question:
Oh Shaykh, You find from the women those who make their child fast and the child is only two years of age. They use as a proof for this, that the Salaf used to make the young children fast. What are your comments upon this?
Answer by Shaykh Ubaid Al-Jabiri:
That which I am aware of from which the scholars have mentioned, is that the young child should be commanded to fast, if they are able to handle it. I believe that they intend by this the child who has reached the age of discretion (tamyeez) or those above that, those who are (approx.) 8 or 9 years of age because they are said to be able to handle it. The child is commanded with acts of worship when he reaches the age of discretion. This is as training and to get him accustomed to it so he may know the acts of worship like the prayer and fasting.
As for the woman making the child fast and they are two years of age then this is a mistake. I don’t know any example of this from the actions of the Salaf. I hope that you convey my Salaams to them. And I advise them to fear Allah as it pertains to their children. For, verily the child who is two will suffer harm from fasting and he has no intellect to allow him to be commanded. That which is reported upon the Salaf is that the child should be commanded, and the like of him, (the two year old) will not be able to comprehend a command or prohibition. Those women making their children (the like of this age) fast are committing a monstrous mistake.
I fear that if the baby was to die, due to the mother making him fast, she caused this and no doubt she is a sinner. I hold that she caused this and she has to pay blood money and “Kafarah” expiation.
Shaykh Ubaid Al-Jabiri

Related:

Lessons on Fasting for Kids
  • Fasting in Ramadan for Kids - lessons for kids from Authentic-Translations.com" - This article contains translations in very simple English and thus is intended for younger readers or anyone simply wanting a smooth reading article."



Teaching Kids to Fast

from “Fasting in Ramadan”

Children (who have not reached puberty) are not commanded to fast. However, they are strongly encouraged to fast even a few days so that they get used to it and they grow up knowing the worship of fasting. In fact this was the practise of the first women of lslam who were living around the Prophet, (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). An example of that is Ar-Rubayya' bint Mu'awiyyah who reported that: "The Messenger of Allah, (Peace and Blessing 

"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. lf one of them started crying due to hunger, we would give them a toy to play with until it was time to eat." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

There are many ways to educate your children about Ramadan, the best and most important of which is to set a 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 easily as well] teach them what you want. Here are a few guidelines that you can use with your children [you can think of others as well]:

1. Depending on their age encourage them to fast a number of days up to 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.

2. Take your children to the Masjid for Maghrib prayer and break the fast with the larger Muslim community to make them feel the greatness of fasting and the unity of Muslims in worshipping Allah.

3. 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.

4. Teach your children the supplication of breaking the fast.

5. Take your children to the Taraweeh prayer so that they get used it and know about it from an early age.

6. Teach them to recite the Qur'an regularly and inform them that the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) used to do that in Ramadan.

7. Correct them if they misbehave or say unacceptable words and remind them that they are fasting and this may alter their reward.

8. Wake them up for Suhoor [even if they don't fast] and Fajr prayer.

9. Teach them to feed people who are fasting and tell them about the reward for that.

10.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 celebration.

And remember that the Prophet (Peace and Blessing if Allah be upon him) said:

"One who is given the responsibility of bringing up Daughters and treats them well will be shielded from Hell. (Bukhari and Muslim)


Intention to Fast Ramadan

Does every (single) day that is fasted during Ramadan
necessitate a (renewed) intent 
or is it sufficient to intend to fast the entire month?



32 Things You Can Put in a Ramadan Journal

If you've gotten a chance to browse TJ Ramadan, you may have seen my Ramadan Journal templates with activities and prompts to get kids engaged. These are especially helpful for kids for whom starting fresh with a blank page is stressful.

But if you've got kids who like to do their own thing,  you can simply have them create their own, personalized journal by making their own cover (Let them make it on cardstock for a sturdier book) and adding blank paper inside and turn them loose.

My oldest daughter made a few Ramadan journals of her own over the years.







If you want to give free style journals a chance this year, here are 32 ideas to get those creative juices flowing:

  1. Introductory page/note to yourself about how many years you have fasted, what you hope this Ramadan will be like, what you want to accomplish or do, special plans you may have
  2. Table of contents
  3. Fasting tracker (record the days you fasted and days you missed)
  4. Quraan reading tracker
  5. Laylatul Qadr/TaraweehTracker
  6. 5 daily prayers tracker
  7. Ramadan goals
  8. Ramadan calendar
  9. Moon observation tracker/journal
  10. Dear Diary/Journal style dated entries
  11. List of good deeds you can do
  12. List of things that break the fast
  13. List of merits of fasting
  14. Coloring pages/artwork
  15. Recipes of things you made during Ramadan or would like to make
  16. Pictures of crafts you have made during Ramadan
  17. Ramadan artwork that you have created
  18. Ramadan ahadith and duaas(copywork or graphics)
  19. Things you ate for suhoor/iftaar(list or drawing)
  20. List of things you did during the day (list or drawing)
  21. List of good deeds you did during the day (list or drawing)
  22. Write down special memories
  23. Write down medical problems you had during the day
  24. Track how much water you drank between maghrib and fajr
  25. Notes or notebooking pages on specific Ramadan topics
  26. Pictures of Ramadan lapbook that you may have made
  27. Times you woke up and went to sleep each day
  28. Thoughts on how your fasting day went/what you need to work on
  29. Ramadan daily planner pages
  30. Notes from Ramadan lectures/classes
  31. Duaas you want to make
  32. Responses to Ramadan Writing Prompts


Prepare Your Kids for Ramadan!


Regardless of whether all of your children are fasting during Ramadan, there are many things that you can do to get them (and the rest of the family) excited about and prepared for observing Ramadan.

Here are a few for starters......

Moon Phases Notebooking Page

I decided on the fly to go over the phases of the moon yesterday with my 10 year old son. So of course I didn't have any visuals or anything, so I had to create my own as we went along (I'm obviously no artist, but it got the job done):


Then, I decided to work up a more lasting page to capture what we learned.

Moon Phase Notebooking Page

Then I decided to add in ayaat about the moon and its phases for us to read and reflect upon. They could also be used for copywork.


Ayaat Related to the Moon



Readings to Help Prepare Your Mind For Ramadan


A collection of treatises and articles/books to help prepare your mind for Ramadan.

What Goes on a Ramadan Bulletin Board?

Things to Put On A Ramadan Bulletin Board
A bulletin board for Ramadan is a fun way to get everyone in the mood for Ramadan. The board can also act as a great review or learning tool for Ramadan related concepts.

In addition, it can become your Ramadan control center where you post useful information (such as charts and menus) to help keep the family informed and on track for Ramadan.

Below, I've compiled a list of ideas for things to make your Ramadan bulletin board a useful tool for decorating, educating, and stimulating family members during the Ramadan "season."
  • Ramadan calendar; Ramadan count down calendar or chains
  • Duaa for sighting the crescent moon
  • Ayaat in the Quraan for the Command to Fast
  • Family menu plans (for suhoor and iftaar)
  • Fasting trackers (charts to help keep track of the days fasted/missed during Ramadan)
  • Kids' Ramadan artwork
  • List of Ramadan family goals for each family member
  • List or poster of good deeds that kids can do throughout the day
  • Duaa for breaking the fast
  • Reminders of things that break the fast (get a cute mobile for this from IBB)
  • Ramadan Quotes (related ayaat and ahadith)
  • Ramadan writing prompts list or calendar
  • Ramadan related sight/vocabulary list
  • Moon phase chart or poster/moon phase observation chart (see Moon Phase Resources)
  • Ibaadah tracker (record deeds during the day) - Visit IBB for templates
  • How to Fast Chart/Poster ( Pick up a neat Fasting day wheel that shows what is done during a day of fasting from IBB)

Do you put up a Ramadan Bulletin Board? 

If so, what else do you include? Why not keep the ball (of ideas) rolling by sharing with others in the comment section?

Duaas for Breaking Fast






Question: Source: (via Salaf us Saalih.com)
Is there any supplication reported from the Prophet sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, at the time of breaking the fast? Should the fasting person repeat what the Mu’aththin says, or continue breaking his fast?
Answer:
The supplication at the time of fasting is most likely to be answered, because it is at the end of an act of worship, and in most cases, a human self is at its weakest point just before he breaks his fast. The weaker a person is physically, and the more tender-hearted, the greater is his feeling of repentance and humility towards Allaah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.
The supplication which is reported from the Prophet sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is:
اللهم لك صمت و على رزقك أفطرت
(Allaahumma Laka Sumtu Wa ‘Ala Rizqika Aftartu.)
“Oh, Allaah! For Your sake I have fasted and with Your sustenance I have broken my fast.”[1]
When he broke his fast, the Prophet sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also said:
ذهب الظمأُ، وابتلت الروق و ثبت الأجر إن شاء الله
(Thahabath-Thana’u Wabtallatil-‘Urooqu Wa Thabatal-Ajru In Sha’ Allaah.)
“Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allaah wills.”[2]
Although there may be some weakness in these two Ahadith, some of the Scholars have declared them to be Hasan; and in any case, if you supplicated using these words or any others words that came to your heart when breaking your fast, then it is most likely to be answered.

As for answering the Mu’aththin when a person is breaking his fast, it is lawful, because of the saying of the Prophet sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:
إذا سمعتم المؤذن فقولوا مثل ما يقول
“If you hear the Mu’aththin, then say what he says.” [3]
applies to all situations, except those which there is some evidence to show otherwise.
______________________
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
Fatawa Arkaanul-Islaam, DARUSSALAM, Vol.2, p.670




Duaa for Breaking the Fast Table Placard - New 2020!






Duaa for Breaking Fast Printable - kids



Liven Up Your Ramadan With a Ramadan Bulletin Board!

Back in 2006, I put up our very first Ramadan Bulletin Board. It was amazing how much that got us into the Ramadan mood. I try to make one in some shape or fashion each year, inshaa Allah.

What Goes On a Ramadan Bulletin Board?
Never put up a Ramadan bulletin board before? Check out some ideas here.

Ramadan Bulletin Board Printables

Several years ago, a good friend of mine (Umm Abdul Basir) and I put together printables for a Ramadan bulletin board.

Below is an example of some of the elements that were made.

Make Ramadan "Come Alive" with a Ramadan Bulletin Board

A Ramadan bulletin board can really help get the house into a more festive mood and they are excellent learning/review tools.

You can stop by the collaborative blog of Umm Abdul Basir and I, Islamic Bulletin Boards, to download the bulletin board elements you see above and more!

Do you put up a Ramadan bulletin board?

If so, and you have pictures of it online, please leave your link in the comments section to share with others for inspiration.


Originally posted 7/25/11