How to fast in Ramadan (Teens)?

In Islam, Ramadan is known as the month when the Quran was revealed. In this month, Muslims all over the world fast, beginning before dawn and fasting all the way till the sun sets. Allah says in the Quran, “Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, [so] that you many learn piety and righteousness”. Fasting may sound a little difficult to do and a bit complicated to understand at first as a teen, especially if this is your first year fasting or if you’re not used to doing it. By reading this article and following the below tips, you’ll be able to fast the month of Ramadan with ease, in sha Allah.

PART 1

Understanding the Requirements 1: Know at what stage you need to start fasting.

In Islam, it’s compulsory for you to fast when you reach puberty, which is usually around the time you reach your teens. While it’s highly encouraged to start earlier to get used to fasting, you should begin by the time you hit puberty. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The pens have been lifted from three: from one who has lost his mind until he comes back to his senses, from one who is sleeping until he wakes up, and from a child until he reaches the age of adolescence.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4399; classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

If you don’t know if you’re ready to fast yet or think it’s still too early, talk to your parents about it. They’ll discuss whether you’re required to fast yet.

Puberty is reached when one of three things occurs - reaching the age of 15, growth of coarse hair around the private parts, or ejaculation (wet dreams). For females a fourth sign is menstruation.

After puberty is reached then the person becomes accountable for their sins and should complete all compulsory acts of worship, including g fasting g in Ramadan. 2: Talk to your parents about fasting. Before you begin fasting in Ramadan, be sure to discuss whether you’re required to fast this year. This is especially important if you have health problems. Lack of food and water for several hours can be extremely dangerous for some teens, causing dehydration, severe starvation, and fainting spells. If you’re not physically capable of fasting yet, you should not fast for your own well-being. Your parents will let you know if they think you’re healthy enough to fast for the month of Ramadan. If needed, talk to a doctor about fasting before attempting to do so, especially if you’ve had health problems in the past that involved lack of food and water. 3: Understand why Muslims fast in Ramadan.

In the Quran, Islam’s holy book, it’s been ordered for all Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan. Allah says, “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed to those before you in order that you may attain Taqwa [consciousness of Allah]” [2:183].

Fasting brings us closer to Allah and reminds us of those who are less fortunate than us. It also helps us practice self-restraint. Fasting is also one of the five pillars of Islam. The pillars are known as the foundation for your Islamic life and are a must to follow. The pillars include believing in Allah alone, performing Salah (prayer), fasting in the month of Ramadan, paying Zakat (charity), and performing Hajj. 4: Learn when you don’t have to fast. There are some people who are excused from fasting during Ramadan. These include people who are sick, traveling, pregnant or breastfeeding, people who haven’t reached puberty yet, and people who are senile. Typically, senior citizens are included; however, many who are healthy enough continue to fast.

For those who are sick or traveling: You do not need to fast until you recover or come back from your trip because Allah says, “... But if anyone is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days] should be made up from the other days.” When Ramadan is over, you’ll need to make up the number of days you missed.

For those who are pregnant or breastfeeding: Anas ibn Maalik al-Ka’bi narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah has relieved the traveler of fasting and half of prayer, and He has relieved the pregnant and breastfeeding woman of fasting.” For the child’s well-being, a person does not have to fast if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. For those who are old in age: Allah says, “And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]” Senior citizens who are not able to fast can make up their fasting by feeding a poor person everyday they don’t fast.

For those who are on their periods: You cannot fast while you’re having your period. Once your period ends, you must perform ghusl and continue fasting. 5: Know how to fast. To begin fasting, you’d eat a light meal called Suhoor before dawn. This meal is not essential, but it’s highly encouraged to do so in order to gain the blessing of fasting for the day. After eating Suhoor, have the Niyyah (intention) to fast the entire day by telling yourself, “I intend to observe my fast for today.” When the sun sets, you can break your fast and eat Iftar, the meal that is eaten to end the fast 6: Understand what breaks your fast. Eating and drinking intentionally, taking medicine, smoking, taking an injection for nutritional reasons, engaging in sexual intercourse, and beginning your period are all actions that break your fast. If you happen to do one of these actions, you should make up your fast(s) after Ramadan. 7: Know what doesn’t break your fast. There are some actions that do not break your fast. This includes brushing your teeth, swallowing things that aren’t possible to avoid (e.g. your own saliva), unintentional vomiting, bathing, getting an injection or IV for medical reasons, and eating or drinking by mistake (forgetting you’re fasting).

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever forgets [that] he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah Who has fed him and given him to drink.”