Monday 15 June 2015

Should kids below 15 yrs fast ? العثيمين

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
Should children below the age of fifteen be ordered to fast as in the case with prayer?

He responded:
“Yes, children who have not yet reached the age of puberty should be ordered to fast if they are able to do it. This is what the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would do with their children.
The scholars have stated that a guardian should order whichever youth he possesses guardianship over to fast so that they could practice it and become attached to it, and so that the foundations of Islam could become instilled in their souls to the point that it becomes like second-nature to them.
However, they [the children] are not required to fast if doing so will be difficult on them or bring harm to them. I would like to point out here an issue that some fathers or mothers do, and that is preventing their children from fasting – in direct opposition to what the Companions used to do.
They [some parents] claim that they are preventing their children from fasting out of mercy and compassion for them. But the reality is that mercy for one’s children is in ordering them to practice the rites of Islam and to grow accustomed and attached to them. This – without a doubt – is from the best and most complete forms of raising and cultivating one’s children.
It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Verily a man is a guardian for the members of his household and he will be questioned as to his flock.”
[Reported by al-Bukhari (no. 2409) and Muslim (no. 1829)]
That which is required for guardians with respect to those whom Allah has given them authority over, such as family members and youth, is that they fear Allah with regard to them and order them with what they were commanded to order them, such as implementing the rites of Islam.”
[48 Su’aalan fis-Siyaam]

https://revivalofthemuslimfamily.wordpress.com/2015/06/14/children-fasting/


So before the age of puberty, salaah, siyaam (fasting) etc. is not obligated on them – male or female.
However, teaching them is legislated as the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Order your children with salaah at the age of seven and discipline them for it at the age of ten; and separate between them in their beds.”
So the father should take his son to the masjid, but only after the age of seven, as prior to this a child does not have an intention, or the intention is not considered; only after the age of seven will it be considered. So if after seven the child intends the siyaam and the salaah, only then will it be considered.
Based on this, it is upon the parents to teach them the salaah – whether they are boys or girls; but if they cannot do so, there is no problem for them, or the whole neighborhood, to bring a man to teach their sons and a woman to teach their daughters.

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