Be Patient, #StayAtHome, and Let's Teach Our Kids About Ramadan

This year the Ramadan month for muslims in Malaysia and the entire world is going to be very different due to this covid-19 lock down. Nobody is allowed to go out for any reason. No bazaar Ramadan, no Tarawih and most importantly no shopping for Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Thinking of doing something useful at home? Why not include your kids with you this entire Ramadan month? Your kids would have so much of questions in their mind regarding this Ramadan and as a parents you should be the first teacher for your kids in teaching them about Ramadan. The list below could be the questions that your kids would ask you and it is your duty to understand the questions and answer them correctly. Do not worry as all the answers for the questions are here for you. Some Random Questions by Kids to Their Parents 1. What is Ramadan? Ramadan رمضان is the ninth month in the Islamic [lunar] calendar, in which Muslims observe fasting or sawm. 2. Why do we need to fast in Ramadan? We as a muslim can fast at any time. Ramadan though is the only time of year when fasting is obligatory. Fasting improves self-control and discipline as it requires a person to abstain from eating, drinking, and involving in any negative things from sunrise to sunset. The list includes several other habits such as backbiting, cursing, and fighting. And while those are forbidden all year long, in Ramadan, abstaining from them is absolutely crucial. Muslims also fast to show solidarity with and compassion for the poor. Fasting allows them to experience hunger and thirst. Even if just for a few hours a day, it motivates them to be more charitable and helpful to those in need. 3. Do everyone on this world required to fast? During Ramadan, only healthy Muslim who's hit puberty is required to fast. On the other hand, pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, people on medication, seniors who are too weak to fast and travelers are exempted from fasting. When health issues are involved, a doctor's orders take precedence. Friends from other religions also fast, but they have different month and different purpose for their fasting. 4. Why does it fall in different seasons? Ramadan is a Hijrah month. The Hijrah Calendar is a lunar one composed of 354 or 355 days. This means that it takes 30 years for the holy month to return to any season. 5.Can I brush my teeth with toothpaste while fasting? It is permissible to brush your teeth while fasting, and may even be encouraged to do so. Using toothpaste does not break the fast, as long as you are very careful not to swallow any of it. However, it is better to not use toothpaste, unless necessary, because it does leave a taste in your mouth. It would be ideal to use toothpaste right before starting your fast so that you can start your day with clean teeth. 6. Do we really go without eating or drinking for 30 days? We are fasting for a certain amount of time during the day. So No!, we don't go a whole month without eating or drinking, we're human beings after all. Muslims are required to only fast from dawn till sunset. At the end of each day, Muslims break their fast with a meal known as Iftar. The end of Ramadan is marked by Hari Raya Aidilfitri. 7. What we do to never feel hungry while fasting? We do سحور. Sahur is eaten just before dawn during Ramadan. The meal helps sustain people who are fasting throughout the day. 8. So why is Ramadan so special? Ramadan is believed to be the holiest period in the Hijrah calendar as the Qur'an was revealed during this month. Muslims believe that good actions bring greater reward during Ramadan than at any other time of year. The month of Ramadan is a time for reflection and self-improvement and ridding oneself of bad habits. It's a time for strengthening family ties and resolving disputes. 9. What makes mosques much more crowded in Ramadan? Mosques are filled with worshipers seeking the Taraweeh prayers, which are long night prayers that last for one and a half to two hours. These prayers are not obligatory, but a highly recommended optional act of worship. Praying in groups at mosques or elsewhere is believed to have more social and spiritual benefit than praying alone. It gives Muslims a better chance to meet one another and improve relationships in the community itself. But unfortunately, this year there will be no mosques filled with worshipers throughout this holy month due to Covid-19. The government and entire muslims society in this world are being told to complete their Taraweeh just #athome. Even in Mecca there will be no Taraweeh this year. 10. When should children start fasting? Once children reach the age of seven, they should be taught how to fast and encouraged to do so, at least sometimes. By the age of ten, children should be encouraged by their parents to fast the entire month, or as much as they are able to. What Can You Teach Your kids During Ramadan? 1st: Smile! Alhamdulillah, we have made it to this year Ramadan! “When you smile to your brother’s face, it is charity.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 2nd: Help your family with chores around the house. “Cleanliness is half of faith.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 3rd: Go one day without complaining. “I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah.” — The Holy Qur’an 4th: Read and explain the Qur’an. It may be difficult for some & easier for others. Have Qur'an with the Malay or English translation for you to easily explain to your kids. 5th: Say your salams! Do you ever stop and think that the greeting that we use daily is something we get rewarded for? Yeah, neither did I. 6th: Donate to a charity of your choosing! Due to coronavirus you may not be able to do charity directly but still there are many online charity. Why not choose the right one and let your kids be a part in this good deed? “Spend (in charity) out of We have bestowed for their sustenance secretly and openly ; and turn off evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home.” — The Holy Qur’an 7th: Revive a Sunnah! Teach and practice with your kids all the Rukun Islam and Rukun Iman “Verily, whoever revives a tradition (sunnah) from among my traditions which has died after me, then he will have a reward similar to whoever acts upon it without taking anything away from their rewards.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 8th: Spend time with family. To you, you’re just one person in the world. To them, you are the world. Pray and read Qur’an with them, give them all your attention. 9th: Show kindness to everyone, including animals. Simply giving a few birds a piece of bread or a thirsty dog some water will benefit you! “Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 10th: Help keep your environment clean! Removing litter from the Earth that Allah has created will surely benefit you. “Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah).” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ This Ramadan will never be the same. You have been given an opportunity to fully contribute your time at home. Why not use this time for your beloved family. While you are teaching you will be learning and being rewarded for all this things. For mommies or daddies that are not able to be with your kids during this lock down. Never lost hope, as you can get to them by video calls. And we at Motherhood.com.my will provide you all the needing information. Stay safe and stay with us.

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