photo by : Fahad Siddqiui

'Ramadan is here’, 'There is an iftar party tonight', 'What should be prepared for suhoor?','The taraweeh preparations are to be done..!', etc, are the typical lines to be heard in any Muslim household around the world during the holy month. Muslims as well as non-muslims all over the world take part in fasting and try to gain spiritual rewards in the blessed time. However, in the midst of these events, how the children in the house respond and how to introduce about Ramadan to them, will be a challenge faced by parents all over the world.

First, the parents must try to create an environment in the house or make the children familiar with the external aura where there is festive air of Ramadan going on, so that the child can connect with the 'essence' of Ramadan. The kids must be educated that the Quran was revealed in this month to the Prophet.

Second, it should be slowly and steadily explained about the concept of fasting and the blessings of the holy month, that fasting means having to refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset as well as to stay away from all sorts of sins and bad deeds and performing ibadah while fasting. And a live example should be the parents or the family members themselves so that the child can relate with what is being explained to him.

Thirdly, the children must be involved in the activities of ramadan, such as being called on the iftar table with all the other household members, then going on taraweeh's together, sitting together while reading Quran, making Ramadan goals and following them, making dua together, etc. as the wisdom is to do whatever activity the parent does and involve the kids as well to familiarize them with the going-on.

Another way to encourage kids about Ramadan is by making ‘Ramadan planners’ which act as reminder on what to do and not to do during Ramadan. For instance, practicing to fast by not eating for 4 hours, the good deeds done each day, the number of salah completed or the number of verses and which surah has been memorized and a compulsory plan being to attend the iftar with everyone.

Lastly the kids must be very carefully explained about the ‘Laylatul Qadr’ or the night of decree, which falls on any odd night from the last 10 days of Ramadan and which is better than 1000 months of worship and when sincere supplications are answered and sins are forgiven.

And finally about Eid al Fitr which means ‘festival of breaking of fast’. The Eid marks the end of the month of Ramadan and a celebration time with family and friends.

To conclude, it is obligatory to introduce the kids about Ramadan and they should be made knowledgeable that the reward of making dua, fasting, reading quran, salah or any good deed, is increased to 70 percent in Ramadan and encourage them to do good patiently.

Introducing Ramadan is far better if introduced in the holy month itself. The kids may not be in the age to fast but having knowledge about it beneficial all the way through as it increases their religious understanding. This understanding will be strengthened with the coming years as Ramadan comes annually and every ramadan being an opportunity for the kids to learn.

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