Question and Answer Details

Answer

As-salamu `alaykum.

If your child is not yet of the age where fasting is obligatory, discussing the matter with the child and reaching a decision together on whether it is a good idea to send a snack or not, would be recommended. Talking about how your child feels and what the child prefers is very important. Any decision should be based on your child’s physical abilities, age, and whether it is the first year to fast or not.

If a child is of an age when fasting is obligatory, then it would not be a good idea to send a snack with the child to school. The underlying message then would be: if you are too hungry you can eat. Whereas, if the child didn’t have the snack with him or her at school to begin with, the child wouldn’t consider eating at all; it would not be an option.

It is important to give a child a filling sahur just before dawn to minimize any need to eat during the day and to ensure that the child won’t find it a painful experience. The child can be told that you did not pack a snack because you have a lot of trust in the child’s abilities and are very proud of the child and very happy that he or she is getting all these merits with Allah Most High.

For more guidance please read the following:

Our Children's Challenges During Ramadan


Let's Make It the Happiest Ramadan Ever

Our Kids' Exams Just Another Parental Challenge During Ramadan

What Is Ramadan All About ,Mom?