|
Educate Your Children in Ramadan
Dear
Parents, Lend Me Your Ears:
Children
(who did 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, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. An
example of that is ar-Rubayya' bint Mu'awiyyah who reported that:
"The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, 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
sister 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 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.
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 Taraweeh 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 or
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 salla allahu alaihi wa sallam 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]
|
