Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

A Salaam Alaikum brother Burhan,

I just wanted to know, how old do you have to be to start fasting? I appreciate all of your help for trying to answer my question. thanks a lot. please reply ASAP.

 

Allah Hafiz  

 

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Answer:

 

How old start fasting

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

A believer is responsible for his acts only after he/she has reached the age of understanding and adulthood, which in Islam is signaled when one attains the age of puberty. 

 

Thus fasting only becomes obligatory upon the believer once he/she reaches the age of puberty, but it would be wise and prudent for the parents to encourage their children to occasionally fast before they reach the age of puberty, so that when fasting does become obligatory upon them upon reaching the age of puberty they would find it easier to fulfill their duty to their Lord.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

Burhan