Imbibing the spirit of Ramadan in kids

Ramadan is here and it is the month of rahama (forgiveness), we all must use this opportunity to ask for forgiveness and change our negative ways of life. The women are particularly very busy at this time thinking of what to put together the iftar dish. This does not mean that they should neglect most […]

Ramadan is here and it is the month of rahama (forgiveness), we all must use this opportunity to ask for forgiveness and change our negative ways of life. The women are particularly very busy at this time thinking of what to put together the iftar dish. This does not mean that they should neglect most of their responsibilities as doing so would be a total waste of time and resources. Whatever we do, we must not fail in our responsibilities to see that we carry our kids along in this holy month.

Of course, it is common to hear women bragging that their 6-9 year old kids were able to fast the whole Ramadan. This is always good to hear; but still it can be very damaging to the health of those kids. The fasting is not a mandatory thing for kids that have not attained the age of puberty. This does not mean that you do not have to make an effort to introduce them to the concept of Ramadan. There are different ways you can do this without putting them through undue pressure before they are ready.

It would not be advisable to force your little ones to fast because doing so would make it difficult for many of them cope. Some of them have to wake up early and prepare for school, and they may not be able to concentrate in class. You can indulge them in the activities of Ramadan to also contribute to the charity work of the period.  They can be allowed to cease eating a few hours to iftar so that they can join in the breaking of fast with others who have fasted. They can also fast in other ways by collecting fruits, dates and coins for the needy, help with the cooking and reading the holy Quran.

Hajiya Bilkisu Muhammed, an Abuja based Accountant, says “There are many ways to teach your kids about Ramadan and the best and most important one is to set a good example by fasting the month of Ramadan properly and behaving according to the prophetic teachings of the holy book. This way you can be sure that your kids will learn positive trends from you, as you know kinds tend to learn very fast from what adults do, so we have to make sure we do things right, at least if not for anything for their sake. You can also teach your kid what the positive things that they can do in this month of fasting, which are reading more of the Quran, saying more supplications and helping others.”

Kids could also be taught that they can observe Ramadan without having to avoid food by living in peace and harmony, clean environment, clean hearts by not keeping malice with anybody, praying on time, obeying their parents and elders, reading the holy Quran and being kind hearted to their friends, the elderly  and neighbors.

What better time is there for us to instill the spirit of Ramadan in our kids than this holy and glorious one and the best way to start this is to explain to them what Ramadan is and what it entails. As you set goals for your self so should you set goals for your kids, this will enable them assess themselves at the end of the day, you should also remind them that the deed will be recorded by the Almighty. To make their day and encourage them to do more positive things this fasting try to invite their friends over for iftar and prepare their favorite dish for such an occasion. Take them for congregational prayers as there is nothing that teaches community spirit like it.

“Ramadan provides an opportunity to teach your child about his faith, however no child should be compelled or forced to fast, children should experience fasting in an easy and enjoyable way, give them the opportunity to fast for a few hours and like them take pride in it, until they attain the recommended age for full fasting” says Mallam Abdullah Ibn Yusuf of Wuse 2 Mosque, Abuja.

Remember that the way and manner you train your child determines the type of person he would be in future and on the Day of Judgment those who obeyed the laws of the Almighty are those that would be among the seven categories of people that he would embrace in his kingdom. Definitely you would like your child to be amongst those people, so the time is now, sit up and inculcate the spirit of Ramadan in your kids in a positive way. May the Almighty guide us unto the right path, amin.