Ramadan teaches a child to fast; the Sunnah then offers gentle extra fasts through the whole year. The Prophet ﷺ called fasting a shield, loved his deeds to be raised while he was fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, described fasting three days each month as a lifelong fast, said fasting the day of Arafah and the day of Ashura atones for sins, and taught that whoever fasts Ramadan and six days of Shawwal is as if he fasted always. He also refused extremes: Aisha reported he never fasted a whole month except Ramadan, and fasted most in Sha'ban. Children under puberty are not obliged to fast at all — these lessons are about understanding and, where a parent agrees, trying a short fast safely. Every point carries its ayah or hadith reference.
Lesson 1 · Why fast · ages 8-11
Fasting is a shield
The Prophet ﷺ said fasting is a shield, and that the fast is kept for Allah alone.
1The hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said fasting is a shield, so a fasting person should not behave foolishly, and if someone fights or abuses him he should say twice, I am fasting.
2It guards the tongue
A fast is not only about food; it is a shield that stops the mouth and the temper from doing harm.
3For Allah alone
In the same hadith Allah says the fasting person left food, drink and desires for My sake, and the fast is for Me.
4Allah made it a command
Allah tells the believers fasting was written for them as it was for people before them, so that they may gain taqwa.
5Children practise
Fasting is obliged after puberty; before that a child may try a short fast with a parent's permission to build the habit.
Shahru Ramadaanallazeee unzila feehil Qur'aanu hudal linnaasi wa baiyinaatim minal hudaa wal furqaan; faman shahida minkumush shahra falyasumhu wa man kaana mareedan aw 'alaa safarin fa'iddatum min ayyaamin ukhar; yureedul laahu bikumul yusra wa laa yureedu bikumul 'usra wa litukmilul 'iddata wa litukabbirul laaha 'alaa maa hadaakum wa la'allakum tashkuroon
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”
Uhilla lakum laylatas Siyaamir rafasu ilaa nisaaa'ikum; hunna libaasullakum wa antum libaasullahunn; 'alimal laahu annakum kuntum takhtaanoona anfusakum fataaba 'alaikum wa 'afaa 'ankum fal'aana baashiroo hunna wabtaghoo maa katabal laahoo lakum; wa kuloo washraboo hattaa yatabaiyana lakumul khaitul abyadu minal khaitil aswadi minal fajri summa atimmus Siyaama ilal layl; wa laa tubaashiroo hunna wa antum 'aakifoona fil masaajid; tilka hudoodul laahi falaa taqraboohaa; kazaalika yubaiyinul laahu aayaatihee linnaasi la'allahum yattaqoon
“It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.”
“Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting.'”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1894
Do this before next time
Next time someone annoys you, say quietly to yourself the words a fasting person says: I am fasting.
Lesson 2 · Weekly · ages 8-11
Mondays and Thursdays
The Prophet ﷺ said deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and he loved his deeds to be presented while he was fasting.
1The hadith
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.
2Two days, every week
This is the simplest extra fast in the Sunnah: two days spaced across the week, not a long stretch.
3It makes you check yourself
If your deeds are shown to Allah on those days, it is a good moment to look at your own week.
4Allah records everything
Allah says every soul will find what it did present before it, and nothing is lost.
5Start small
A child might begin with one short day in the school holidays, with a parent's agreement.
Yawma tajidu kullu nafsim maa'amilat min khairim muhdaranw wa maa 'amilat min sooo'in tawaddu law anna bainahaa wa bainahooo amadam ba'eedaa; wa yuhazzirukumul laahu nafsah; wallaahu ra'oofum bil'ibaad
“The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] servants."”
Wa wudi'al kitaabu fataral mujrimeena mushfiqeena mimmaa feehi wa yaqooloona yaa wailatanaa maa lihaazal kitaabi laa yughaadiru saghee ratanw wa laa kabeeratan illaaa ahsaahaa; wa wajadoo maa 'amiloo haadiraa; wa laa yazlimu Rabbuka ahadaa
“And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one.”
Surah Az-Zalzala · 99:7
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ
Famaiy ya'mal mithqala zarratin khai raiy-yarah
“So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it,”
“Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.”
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 747
Do this before next time
Pick one Monday or Thursday this month and use it as a day of extra good deeds.
Lesson 3 · Monthly and yearly · ages 12-15
Three days, Arafah and Ashura
The Prophet ﷺ said fasting three days each month is like a lifelong fast, and named the fasts of Arafah and Ashura.
1The hadith
Abu Qatada reported the Prophet ﷺ said fasting three days every month and that of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fasting.
2Arafah
In the same hadith he ﷺ said he sought from Allah that fasting the day of Arafah atone for the sins of the year before and the year after.
3Ashura
And that fasting the day of Ashura atone for the sins of the preceding year.
4Not fasting every day
In the same hadith he ﷺ discouraged fasting perpetually with no break; the Sunnah is steady, not extreme.
5The calendar helps
These fasts follow the Hijri months, which is one reason the Islamic calendar is worth learning.
Ayyaamam ma'doodaat; faman kaana minkum mareedan aw'alaa safarin fa'iddatum min ayyaamin ukhar; wa 'alal lazeena yuteeqoonahoo fidyatun ta'aamu miskeenin faman tatawwa'a khairan fahuwa khairulo lahoo wa an tasoomoo khairul lakum in kuntum ta'lamoon
“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”
Huwal lazee ja'alash shamsa diyaaa'anw walqamara nooranw wa qaddarahoo manaaz zila lita'lamoo 'adadas sineena walhisaab; maa khalaqal laahu zaalika illa bilhaqq; yufassilul aayaati liqawminw ya'lamoon
“It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know”
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].”
“Fasting three days every month and that of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fasting. I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of 'Arafa may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year.”
Sahih Muslim 1162a
Do this before next time
Find the next day of Ashura or Arafah on a Hijri calendar and mark it at home.
Lesson 4 · After Ramadan · ages 12-15
Six days of Shawwal
The Prophet ﷺ said whoever fasted Ramadan then followed it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted perpetually.
1The hadith
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported the Prophet ﷺ said he who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six fasts of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually.
2Ramadan does not end you
The six fasts keep the habit alive in the month straight after Ramadan instead of dropping everything at Eid.
3They can be spread out
The hadith says six days of Shawwal; they need not be in one run.
4Allah multiplies
Allah promises that whoever brings a good deed will have it multiplied for him.
5Keep Eid joyful too
The day of Eid itself is not fasted; the Sunnah has days for feasting as well as fasting.
man jaaa'a bilhasanati falahoo 'ashru amsaalihaa wa man jaaa'a bissaiyi'ati falaa yujzaaa illaa mislahaa wa hum laa yuzlamoon
“Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit], and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.”
Man jaaa'a bilhasanati falahoo khairum minhaa wa man jaaa'a bissaiyi'ati falaa yujzal lazeena 'amilus saiyiaati illaa maa kaanoo ya'maloon
“Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it; and whoever comes with an evil deed - then those who did evil deeds will not be recompensed except [as much as] what they used to do.”
Man zal lazee yuqridul laaha qardan hasanan fayudaa 'ifahoo lahoo ad'aafan kaseerah; wallaahu yaqbidu wa yabsut-u wa ilaihi turja'oon
“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.”
“He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually.”
Sahih Muslim 1164a
Do this before next time
Plan with your family which six days of Shawwal they will fast next year.
Lesson 5 · Balance · ages 8-11
Steady, not extreme
Aisha reported the Prophet ﷺ never fasted a whole month except Ramadan, and fasted most in Sha'ban.
1The hadith
Aisha said the Prophet ﷺ used to fast until you would say he would never stop, and leave fasting until you would say he would never fast; she never saw him fast a whole month except Ramadan, and never more than in Sha'ban.
2No showing off
Extra fasts are quiet worship; they are not a competition with brothers, sisters or friends.
3Health first
A fast that harms a child's health or school day is not the Sunnah; the Sunnah is what you can keep.
4Allah wants ease
Allah says He desires ease for you and not hardship, in the very ayahs about fasting.
5Little and lasting
The Prophet ﷺ taught that the deeds Allah loves are the ones done consistently.
Shahru Ramadaanallazeee unzila feehil Qur'aanu hudal linnaasi wa baiyinaatim minal hudaa wal furqaan; faman shahida minkumush shahra falyasumhu wa man kaana mareedan aw 'alaa safarin fa'iddatum min ayyaamin ukhar; yureedul laahu bikumul yusra wa laa yureedu bikumul 'usra wa litukmilul 'iddata wa litukabbirul laaha 'alaa maa hadaakum wa la'allakum tashkuroon
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”
Laa yukalliful-laahu nafsan illaa wus'ahaa; lahaa maa kasabat wa 'alaihaa maktasabat; Rabbanaa la tu'aakhiznaa in naseenaaa aw akhtaanaa; Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil-'alainaaa isran kamaa hamaltahoo 'alal-lazeena min qablinaa; Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih wa'fu 'annaa waghfir lanaa warhamnaa; Anta mawlaanaa fansurnaa 'alal qawmil kaafireen
“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."”
Wa jaahidoo fil laahi haqqa jihaadih; Huwaj tabaakum wa maa ja'ala 'alaikum fid deeni min haraj; Millata abeekum Ibraaheem; Huwa sammaakumul muslimeena min qablu wa fee haaza li yakoonar Rasoolu shaheedan 'alaikum wa takoonoo shuhadaaa'a 'alan naas; fa aqeemus salaata wa aatuz zakaata wa'tasimoo billaahi Huwa mawlaakum fani'mal mawlaa wa ni'man naseer
“And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.”
“Allah's Messenger used to fast till one would say that he would never stop fasting, and he would abandon fasting till one would say that he would never fast. I never saw Allah's Messenger fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha'ban.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1969
Do this before next time
Choose one small act of worship you can keep every week for a month without stopping.
Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path