Homes filled with happiness are those striving to accustom their children to fasting and performing night prayers in Ramadan, as well as taking them to mosques. This practice strengthens their determination and uplifts their spirit.
Those who do so are following in the footsteps of the companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It was narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh, who said: “We made our children observe fast. We went to the mosque and made toys out of wool for them, and we would go to the mosque. When the children asked us for food, we gave them these toys to play with, and these made them forgetful till they completed their fast.”
Al-Bayhaqi narrated from Aisha, Mother of the Believers, that she said: “We used to bring the children to lead us in prayer during the month of Ramadan.”
Training children to fast and pray at night has multiple benefits, whether religious, educational, or health-related.
First: Religious Benefits
1- Instilling the Love of Worship in Children
There is no doubt that children imitate their parents and strive to follow in their footsteps. If they see their parents eagerly fasting and praying at night, they will naturally be drawn to these acts with love and contentment. Parents play a crucial role in guiding and raising their children. Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim report from Abu Huraira that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?”
Thus, when parents make an effort to introduce fasting and prayer to their children from a young age, the children grow up loving these acts of worship and become keen on performing them. This is one of the fruits of their upbringing, by the grace of Allah.
Additionally, taking children to mosques enhances their religious consciousness, strengthens their connection to mosques, and encourages them to maintain their prayers, fasting, and recitation of the Quran. Over time, this fosters a deep understanding of true worship and makes practicing it a lifelong habit.
2- Teaching Children to Obey the Commands of Allah and His Messenger
When children grow up obeying Allah and His Messenger, it is because they have witnessed their parents’ deep reverence for religious teachings and their unwavering adherence to the Quran and Sunnah as the primary sources of guidance in life.
3- Instilling Taqwa and Accountability
Fasting cultivates the habit of being mindful of Allah, which helps a person stay away from prohibitions. Allah has made taqwa the primary goal of fasting, as He says, “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Al-Baqarah: 183)
4- Increasing the Reward for Parents
A child’s good deeds are a result of their parents’ upbringing. The virtue of the parents' role is immense, as they contribute to the righteous development of their children. Moreover, Islam teaches that those who guide others to goodness receive the same reward as those who act upon it. In Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) to get a mount, but he (ﷺ) did not have anything to mount him on with him. So he was lead to another person to give him a mount. He came to the Prophet (ﷺ) to inform him about that and he said: 'Whoever leads to good, he is like the one who does it.'”
In Sahih Muslim, Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If anyone summons others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those of the people who follow him without their rewards being diminished in any respect on that account; and if anyone summons others to follow error the sin of which he is guilty will be equivalent to those of the people who follow him without their sins’ being diminished in any respect on that account.”
Second: Educational and Moral Benefits
Accustoming children to fasting and night prayers fosters many good manners and important educational principles, including:
1- Strengthening Willpower and Patience
Fasting teaches children self-control and the ability to regulate their desires. A child learns to endure hunger and thirst from dawn until sunset while engaging in productive activities. Additionally, fasting cultivates patience, as a fasting person is instructed not to retaliate with insults or aggression. In Sahih Muslim, Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting.”
2- Instilling Generosity and Compassion
When a child experiences hunger during fasting, he develops empathy for the poor who struggle to find food and drink. Seeing his parents donate money and provide iftar for the needy further instills in him the values of charity and generosity.
3- Strengthening Family Bonds
Participating in fasting, suhoor, iftar, night prayers, and other Ramadan traditions brings family members together. This shared experience strengthens familial ties through collective worship, shared meals, and mutual support.
4- Encouraging Discipline and Responsibility
Fasting and praying teach children the importance of following schedules—whether for suhoor, iftar, or prayer times. Additionally, attending night prayers trains children to respect the sanctity of mosques, adhere to its etiquette, and avoid inappropriate behavior. The more time a child spends in the mosque, the more deeply these values are ingrained.
Third: Psychological and Spiritual Benefits
Training children to fast and pray at night benefits not only their religious and educational development but also their psychological and spiritual well-being.
1- Achieving Happiness and Inner Peace
Fasting and night prayers give children a sense of accomplishment. Completing a day of fasting is a great achievement for a young child. Parents should encourage this by keeping them engaged and praising their efforts, as achieving success and receiving encouragement are key sources of happiness for children.
2- Boosting Self-Confidence
When a child successfully completes a day of fasting, it reinforces his belief that he is capable of achieving what adults can. This fills him with pride and confidence, reinforcing his self-worth.
3- Experiencing Tranquility and Serenity
During Ramadan, faith increases due to increased good deeds. When children participate in fasting, night prayers, recitation of the Quran, and charity, it fosters a deep sense of peace and contentment.
Fourth: Health Benefits
1- Improving Digestive Health
Medical experts confirm that fasting provides the digestive system with a temporary rest, helping to maintain overall health and strength. However, if a child is unable to handle fasting, parents should not burden them beyond their capacity.
2- Strengthening the Immune System
Fasting aids the body in eliminating toxins by restricting food and drink intake during the day. With regular movement and activity, the body efficiently expels harmful substances.
3- Regulating Eating Habits
Fasting teaches children to avoid random and excessive eating, instead developing discipline in their food intake by adhering to set meal times.
The Scientific Insights on the Benefits and Spiritual Value of Fasting
Practical Steps to Help Children Adapt to Fasting and Night Prayers
- Gradual Introduction: Start by having the child fast from the afternoon until sunset, or from midday to sunset. Begin night prayers with just two rak’ahs and gradually increase over time.
- Encouragement and Motivation: Praise the child and speak proudly of his efforts. Offer both moral and material rewards.
- Support and Distraction: Keep the child engaged in enjoyable activities to take his mind off hunger and thirst.
- Storytelling and Role Models: Share inspiring stories of young children who successfully fasted and prayed, encouraging them to follow in their footsteps.
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