Tips for Half-Day Fasting for Children, Also Know the Rules According to Scholars' Views

Kapanlagi.com - Fasting is one of the religious practices in Islam. Fasting is done by abstaining from eating, drinking, and worldly desires from sunrise to sunset. For adults, fasting may be relatively easy to do, but it is different for children. Therefore, there is a term called half-day fasting specifically for children.

However, of course, half-day fasting cannot be equated with full fasting. Nevertheless, half-day fasting can be a good basic fasting practice for children. With this practice, when they grow up, children will be accustomed to performing obligatory fasting such as Ramadan fasting.

Besides being a practice, there are many benefits that can be obtained from teaching children to fast for half a day. What are they? Summarized from various sources, here is a discussion about half-day fasting for children.

1. Half-Day Fasting Law

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In Islam, fasting is the third pillar of Islam. Therefore, there are several types of fasting that are obligatory, such as Ramadan fasting and vow fasting. In addition, there are also voluntary fasts such as Monday-Thursday fasting, Prophet David fasting, Shawwal fasting, and others that can also be a way to earn many rewards.

During fasting, a Muslim is required to abstain from eating, drinking, and restraining their desires. Starting from sunrise until the time of breaking the fast at sunset. However, it turns out that half-day fasting or breaking the fast by eating or drinking during the day is allowed, specifically for children.

This is explained by Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Asy Syairazy in his book Al Muhadzdzab fi Fiqhis Syafi'i, which states:

"As for young children, it is not obligatory for them to fast, because there is a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad, 'The obligation is lifted from three people: young children until they reach puberty, a person who is asleep until they wake up, a person who is insane until they regain sanity.' Young children at the age of seven are commanded to fast if they are capable, and children who are ten years old are disciplined if they neglect fasting, similar to prayer."

2. Benefits of Half-Day Fasting for Children

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Based on the previous explanation, half-day fasting for children is a very good thing to do. Indirectly, implementing half-day fasting will bring many benefits for children.

In addition to practicing full fasting, half-day fasting can also be a way to introduce fasting worship and teach the values and wisdom in fasting worship. With that, children's understanding of fasting will develop. So, naturally, children will understand what fasting is and be moved to do it wholeheartedly.

3. Tips for Practicing Half-Day Fasting for Children

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Half-day fasting can indeed be an effective practice for children. However, to be successful, there are several things that parents need to pay attention to. Here are some tips to ensure that the practice of half-day fasting goes smoothly and successfully.

1) Provide Explanation

Before starting to teach children about half-day fasting, it would be better if parents provide an explanation. Specifically, explain the rules of fasting, the values, and the wisdom of fasting. Deliver each explanation in a concise and simple manner for easier understanding.

2) Pay Attention to the Child's Condition

Training children to fast may not be easy. Especially since children are not accustomed to it. Do not force the child's ability, as it can be harmful to their health. In addition, forcing can also make children feel forced and not like fasting.

3) Don't hesitate to give praise to children

On the contrary, occasionally appreciate or praise the child for their fasting efforts. This way, the child will feel their efforts are valued, so they will be more motivated to fast properly.

4) Create a Fun Atmosphere

Equally important, try to create a fun atmosphere during half-day fasting. One simple way is to involve the child in choosing the iftar and suhoor menus. This way, the child will be more enthusiastic and motivated to fast.

Those are some reviews about half-day fasting for children. Hopefully, it will be beneficial and inspiring.

(kpl/psp)