When I was four years old and had reached the age of accountability through menstruation, I was unable to fast the month of Ramadan because my parents insisted that I not fast
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The questioner : The questioner says: When I was fourteen years old and had reached the age of accountability through menstruation, I was unable to fast the month of Ramadan because my parents insisted that I not fast, thinking that I was too young and could not bear hunger or thirst. More than ten years have passed since this incident, and I have not fasted that month. If I am unable to fast due to my health condition and I am breastfeeding, what is obligatory for me? I know that the reason for delaying making up the fast was my lack of knowledge that it was necessary to make it up. This is a mistake that most people make, and it is what led my parents to prevent me from fasting, because they did not know that I was making up a fast. What is your guidance?
The Shaykh : First, I offer advice to fathers and mothers regarding their children who have not reached the age of accountability but wish to fast. My advice to these fathers and mothers is to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not to prevent their children from fasting. In fact, the scholars said: It is obligatory for the guardian of a child to order him to fast if he can bear it. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to have their young children fast, to the point that a boy would cry, and they would give him a toy made of cotton to occupy himself with until sunset. This was the state of the Salaf. True mercy toward children is to encourage them to obey Allah. This is true mercy. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan ad-Daraqutni 3:5 The beating is painful, but it is mercy for them and for their sake. These fathers and mothers who have reached this level of ignorance must learn and fear Allah, and they must order their young children who have not reached the age of accountability to be tasked with fasting if they can bear it. It is not permissible for them to prevent boys or girls from fasting if the child desires to fast. The fact that they cannot bear hunger and thirst is true; they are indeed less able to bear hunger and thirst than adults. But the fact that they enjoy it relieves them greatly of the pain of hunger and thirst. This is what I say as an introduction to the answer to this woman's question.
As for her making up the fast, if she is in cities or villages where there are many scholars, then she must make up the fast she left, even if it was at the order of her father and mother. But if she is not in cities or villages, and she is in the desert and far from knowing the limits of what Allah revealed to His Messenger, then she does not have to make it up. Let her look at her own situation now: is she among those [who have access to scholars] or those [who do not]? And let her act according to what her situation requires.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : First, I offer advice to fathers and mothers regarding their children who have not reached the age of accountability but wish to fast. My advice to these fathers and mothers is to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not to prevent their children from fasting. In fact, the scholars said: It is obligatory for the guardian of a child to order him to fast if he can bear it. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to have their young children fast, to the point that a boy would cry, and they would give him a toy made of cotton to occupy himself with until sunset. This was the state of the Salaf. True mercy toward children is to encourage them to obey Allah. This is true mercy. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Order your children to pray at seven, and beat them for it at ten
مروا أبناءكم بالصلاة لسبع، واضربوهم عليها لعشرAs for her making up the fast, if she is in cities or villages where there are many scholars, then she must make up the fast she left, even if it was at the order of her father and mother. But if she is not in cities or villages, and she is in the desert and far from knowing the limits of what Allah revealed to His Messenger, then she does not have to make it up. Let her look at her own situation now: is she among those [who have access to scholars] or those [who do not]? And let her act according to what her situation requires.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.