
Children (who
have 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 practice of the first women of Islam who were
living around the Prophet
. An example
of that is ar-Rubayya' bint Mu'awiyyah who reported that: "The
Messenger
of Allah, 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 brothers and sisters remember that among the seven that Allah will shade under His shade on the Day of Judgment 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 practice it easily 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 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 and praise them
in front of friends and relatives for their achievement.
Let your
children go with their father to the Mosque 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.
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 Taraveeh 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 regularly and inform them that the Prophet (S)
used to do that in Ramadan.
Correct them
if they behave wrongly or say unacceptable words and remind them
that they are fasting so 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
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]