PETALING JAYA: For many Muslim parents, getting their children to start fasting during Ramadan is not only about educating them on respecting one of the pillars of Islam, but also bonding together.
Muslim children under the age of puberty are not obliged to fast during Ramadan, but many of them are eager to start fasting.
Siti Noor Rafiqha Mustaffa, 34, a mother of two young children from Puchong, said her son Luth Mohd Shyafiq, eight, and daughter Hawa Mohd Shyafiq, five, were eager to begin fasting yesterday.
While she does not encourage Hawa to fast, she wants to educate her on Ramadan.
“I asked Luth what he wanted to eat for sahur (pre-dawn meal). He wanted fried chicken, which is his favourite. So, I cooked some for his sahur. And the night before, he went to bed earlier so that it will be easier for him to wake up for sahur.
“This is the first year my son is trying to fast the whole day.
“My husband and I have been speaking to Luth since last month about fasting as he is already eight. We promised to reward him if he manages to fast the whole month,” said Siti Noor Rafiqha, who works in the IT industry.
She said her son was worried at first that he may be hungry or thirsty. But after we explained to him on the benefits of fasting, he was eager to join in.
Rozaihan Abdul Rahim, 41, from Shah Alam, also a mother of two, said that she encouraged both of them, aged 14 and 10, to fast from when they were six years old.
“I started training both of them with a half-day fast until afternoon. I also promised them extra duit raya if they managed to fast.
She said her daughter Afiyya Medinah Syahrul Iman, 14, started fasting properly when she was nine, and her son Muhammad Arefi, when he was eight.
“I make sure that they both have their sahur so that they would be able to fast better. They have dates and milk for sahur.
“As for the breaking of fast, they are not picky eaters. And then there is the excitement of going to perform terawih prayers at the mosque. They would be tired but they would want to fast again the next day,” she added.
Rozaihan said every Muslim mother should encourage her children to fast from a young age so it is easier for them as they grow older.
“It’s also a form of family bonding as only during Ramadan can a family come together for the breaking of fast,” said Rozaihan, who works with RTM as a producer.
She said that as a working mother, she cooks in advance and freezes the dishes.
“I enjoy the moments and I want my children to keep these memories of fasting when young,” she added.
Muhammad Arefi said that he is eager not only to get the heavenly rewards for fasting, but also to get extra duit Raya.
Afiyya Medinah said she is more patient and disciplined when she fasts.
