Fasting is called Sawm in Arabic. It is the third pillar of Islam. Fasting means we do not eat or drink for a special time. We do this to please Allah. Fasting makes us strong. Fasting helps us feel what poor people feel. When we fast, we remember Allah. We thank Allah for the food and water He gives us.
The Month of Ramadan
Allah tells Muslims to fast in the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a very special month. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. In this month, we do many good things. We pray more. We read the Quran. We help people. We try to be kind, patient, and good.
How We Fast
Fasting in Ramadan starts at Fajr time and ends at Maghrib time. Fajr is when the sky is still dark, before the sun comes up. Maghrib is when the sun goes down. That is when we can eat and drink again. We eat a small meal before Fajr. This meal is called Suhoor. We eat healthy food like dates, bread, eggs, and water. Suhoor gives us energy for the day. Then, all day, we do not eat. We do not drink water. We try not to fight or lie. We try not to get angry. We try to smile and be good Muslims.
Iftar: Breaking the Fast
At Maghrib time, we break our fast. This is called Iftar. We eat dates first. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also broke his fast with dates. We then drink water. After that, we eat dinner. We say “Bismillah” before we eat and “Alhamdulillah” when we finish.
Who Fasts and When
Children who are very small do not have to fast. But some children like to try. They fast for one hour, two hours, or half a day. Allah is happy when children try to fast. When we grow older, we must fast every day in Ramadan, unless we are sick or traveling. If someone is very sick or very old, they don’t have to fast. Allah is kind and loves His people.
Fasting Is More Than Not Eating
Fasting is not only about no food and no drink. It is about being better. We try to stop bad habits. We learn to control our tongue. We say nice words. We smile more. We help our family. We do not say mean things. We listen to the Quran. We sit with our family and pray. This is what makes fasting special.
Learning Empathy
When we fast, we feel how hard life is for people who have no food. Some people do not have clean water. Some people sleep hungry. When we fast, we remember them. We feel their pain. That is why Ramadan is also a month of giving. We give charity to poor people. We buy food for them. We give clothes and toys to children. We learn to share and care.
Rewards of Fasting
Fasting is good for our body and heart. It helps clean our body. It gives rest to our stomach. It also makes our heart soft and full of love. Allah gives us many rewards for fasting. The angels write down our good deeds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the smell of a fasting person’s mouth is nicer to Allah than perfume. That shows us how much Allah loves those who fast.
Taraweeh and Laylatul Qadr
Every night in Ramadan, Muslims pray a special prayer called Taraweeh. We pray this after Isha. It is long, but many kids enjoy praying it in the mosque with their family. It is a happy time. Sometimes we go with our fathers and mothers. We see other Muslims. We feel happy and close to Allah.
Ramadan also has a very special night. It is called Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power. This night is better than one thousand months. That means it is very, very important. It is a secret night in the last ten nights of Ramadan. On that night, we try to pray and make du’a. We ask Allah for everything we want. We ask for Jannah. We ask for health. We ask for our parents and teachers.
Eid-ul-Fitr: The Celebration After Ramadan
At the end of Ramadan, there is a big celebration. It is called Eid-ul-Fitr. On Eid, we wake up early. We take a bath. We wear clean clothes. We go for a big prayer. After that, we hug each other and say, “Eid Mubarak!” We eat sweet food like dates and cakes. We visit our cousins and friends. We get gifts and Eidi. Eid is a happy day from Allah. He gave us Eid because we fasted in Ramadan.
Before Eid, we also give something called Zakat al-Fitr. This is a small amount of food or money for poor people. This makes them happy on Eid too. No one should feel sad on Eid. Everyone should smile.
The Example of the Prophet (PBUH)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always fasted in Ramadan. He told his companions to fast too. His companions, like Hazrat Abu Bakr(Razi Allah tala anhu), Hazrat Umar(Razi Allah tala anhu), and Hazrat Aisha(Razi Allah tala anhu), all fasted with love. They were happy to obey Allah. We should try to be like them. We should fast with love. We should fast with kindness.
Fasting for Children
When you fast, you do a very big thing. Even if you are a little boy or girl, Allah sees your heart. He gives you blessings. You become stronger, smarter, and better. Fasting is not just hard. It is also fun. Some kids make Ramadan calendars. Each day, they open a box with a small treat or sticker. Some kids color Ramadan lanterns or make masjid crafts. Some kids learn du’as and hadiths. These are nice ways to learn and grow.
Fasting Is a Gift from Allah
Let’s remember: Fasting is not a punishment. Fasting is a gift. It is a time to clean our hearts and feed our souls. It is a time to be close to Allah. It is a time to say “thank you” for food, family, and life. It is a time to love and give. It is a time to grow and shine.
So, dear children, when Ramadan comes, be happy! Make a plan. Try to fast for a short time. Read one surah each day. Help your mommy in the kitchen. Set the table for Iftar. Make du’a before sleeping. Smile and say “Alhamdulillah” every day. Allah loves good children. And you are a good child. Ramadan is your month. Fasting is your friend. Let it make you shine like the moon in the sky. 🌙✨