Children are not obligated to fast during Ramadan until they reach puberty, typically around 11 or 12 years old. However, many children start participating in Ramadan activities at a much younger age.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Obligation: According to religious guidelines, fasting is not obligatory for children until they reach puberty. This usually happens around 11 or 12 years old.
-
Early Participation: Many children, as young as 6 or 7, express a desire to participate in Ramadan.
-
Family Involvement: Even before they start fasting, children often participate in the celebratory meals in the evenings and observe adults fasting during the day (as indicated in the reference text - Children are not obliged to fast until they are about 11 or 12 years old. From an early age, however, they join the celebratory meals in the evenings, and they watch adults around them fasting through the day. In most families, children aged 6 or 7 want to be able to fast.).
Therefore, while the obligation to fast begins around ages 11-12, participation in Ramadan activities can start much earlier, driven by the child's interest and family customs.
