This year’s Ramadan for Muslims all over the world is going to be very different due to the pandemic, COVID-19. In Malaysia alone, 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? For this year’s Ramadan, why don’t you get your kids involve to ‘imarah’ the month and teach them more about Ramadan?
I believe your kids will have a lot of questions to ask regarding Ramadan. And as a parent, you should be the first to teach them about this Holy Month.
We have prepare a list of questions that can guide you to teach Ramadan to your kids. Worry not, as each question comes with the answer as well.
Some Random Questions from Kids About Ramadan
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 or we call it as ‘puasa sunat’. However, during Ramadan, it is the only month of year that 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. 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 for just few hours a day, it motivates them to be more charitable and helpful to those in need.
3. Does everyone in this world required to fast?
During Ramadan, only healthy Muslim who has 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.
For your information, friends from other religions also fast, but they have different month and specific purpose as to why they are fasting.
4. Why does it fall in different seasons?
Ramadan is a Hijrah month or also known as the Islamic calendar. 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. Ideally, you can use toothpaste when you are brushing your teeth before the sun rise (after suhoor) and after you break fast.
6. Do we really go without eating or drinking for 30 days?
My dear, we are only fasting for a certain amount of time during the day. So, the answer is NO! We don’t go a whole month without eating or drinking.
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 do we need to do to prevent feeling hungry when we are fasting?
That is why we have سحور. Suhoor is the time where we wake up after a few hours of sleep to eat just before dawn during Ramadan. It is sunnah for the Muslims to wake up for suhoor and the meal that we eat during this time will help to prevent us from feeling hungry throughout the day.
Anas bin Malik 
“Take suhoor as there is a blessing in it” [Bukhari and Muslim].
Suhoor Meal Tips: Sunnah for us to take dates during suhoor as dates can make us feel full longer.
Our Prophet
“How excellent are dates as the believer’s suhoor” [Abu Dawood, Ibn Hibban and al-Baihaqee; Sahih]
8. So why Ramadan is 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 also is a good month to strengthen family ties and resolving disputes.
9. What makes mosques much more crowded in Ramadan?
Mosques are filled with worshipers seeking the Tarawih 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 (sunnah) 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.
Unfortunately, this year there will be no mosques filled with worshipers throughout this holy month due to COVID-19. The Muslims are advised to do Tarawih just at home (even for the Muslims in Mecca).
10. What is the right age for children to start fasting?
Once children reach the age of seven, they should be taught how to fast and encouraged to do so. Maybe not the whole month, but a few times will do – just as a practice.
There is no specific age for the children to start fasting, however, it is good if the child can fast for the entire month of Ramadan like the adults, or as much as he is able to. This is where parents’ guidance and encouragement is very importance.
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: Get your child together to do house chores – cleaning the house, redecorate, preparing iftar etc.
“Cleanliness is half of faith.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
3rd: Go one day without complaining (and cursing/saying bad words!).
“I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah.” — The Holy Qur’an
4th: Sit down together, read al-Qur’an and explain the meaning and story about the Surah or sentence.Start with the most simplest one for you to share it with your kids.
5th: Say your Salam! Do you (actually) know that the ‘Assalamualaikum’ greeting we say daily is a simple act to receive an extensive reward from the Almighty? Subhanallah.
“When two Muslims meet (give salaam), and shake hands, they are forgiven their sins before they part (with each other)” — Abu Dawud
6th: Be generous and donate (more)! Due to coronavirus, you may not be able to do physically donate and do the charity. Alternatively, you can start online charity and donate via online to the people in need.
Another way is, you can simply prepare iftar meals, buy some groceries, or order food online and then send it using e-hailing services to those in need. Get your kids involve throughout the process to let them be a part of 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. This is the time to spend more quality time with the entire family.
9th: Show kindness to everyone, including animals. The act of simply giving the birds a piece of bread or a thirsty dog some water will reward you with pahala.
“Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment.” — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
10th: Keep the 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. On the bright side, take this opportunity to fully contribute your time at home with your beloved family. Spend quality time with them by doing more ibadah and teaching each other good things.
For parents who are not able to be with your kids during this lock down, never lose hope. Give each other a call or even better, do a video call. May this Ramadan be better than the previous years.
Be patient, keep on praying and #StayAtHome. We at Motherhood.com.my wishing all Muslims, Ramadan Kareem. Stay safe and stay with us. We can do this!