My young child insists on fasting despite his weak health

Question: My young child insists on fasting (during) Ramadhaan despite it harming him due to his young age and weak health. So can I use harshness with him to break his fast?

Response: If he is young and has not attained puberty, then fasting is not obligatory upon him. However, if he is capable of fasting without hardship then he should be instructed to do so. The sahaabah (radhi-yallaahu 'anhum) used to accustom their children to fasting, such that when a young one from amongst them would cry, they would distract him from his hunger by giving him a toy. However, if it is established that fasting is harming the child then he must be prevented from it; Just as Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) has prohibited us (the parents) from giving money to them for fear of misuse, then certainly the fear of any harm upon them is more of a reason to prevent them from fasting. However, preventing them should not be through use of force and harshness, for certainly this is not befitting in bringing them up.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen

Fataawa Ramadhaan - Volume 1, Page 237, Fatwa No.183

Fataawa Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Page 493

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Published: 25 December 2000

The fast of the child

Question: Should the young discerning child be ordered to fast? Also, is it (the fast) accepted from him if he attains puberty during his fast?

Response: When young boys and girls reach seven years of age they are ordered to fast so as to become accustomed to it; And it is upon their guardians to order them to do so, just as ordering them to perform their salaah, so when they attain puberty fasting becomes incumbent upon them.

If they attain puberty during the day, their fast for that day is accepted; So if a young child, who is fasting, was to turn fifteen (years of age) at noon then that day (of fasting) is accepted from him. The first part of the day would be classified as supererogatory and the latter half as obligatory, so long as he had not yet attained puberty, either by the appearance of pubic hair or ejaculation of sexual fluids from desire. This is also the case for the girl, as the ruling for both is equal (in this matter), except that she has an extra sign indicating her having attained puberty and that is her menses.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz

Fataawa Ramadhaan - Volume 1, Page 234, Fatwa No.178;

Tuhfatul-Ikhwaan bi-Ajwibah Muhimmah tata'allaq bi-Arkaan al-Islaam - Pages 160-161

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Published: 22 December 2000