Algeria :Two Children Die of Thirst After Fasting!

Ramadan is a Holy month and God has ordered us to fast for the numerous benefits fasting has but has also given us the mind to think and decide when it's dangerous to fast; like when being ill or being old or if fasting will do more harm to our bodies than good. Its also discouraged for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and women during their period.
 
Parents should start teaching their kids to fast gradually until they are old enough and strong enough to fast a full day.
Children in the growing age should not be forced to fast, especially when it's hot and the day is too long for them to stay without food or water.

In Algeria, two kids died of thirst because their parents would't allow them to drink water and encouraged them to wait until sunset.
Both children went to their mothers and asked them for water, but the mothers told them to wait and have patience, only to find their kids dead minutes before the Iftar!

The first, an 8-year-old girl, died of thirst after fasting a whole day during a heat wave that hit Algeria this week.
The second, a 10-year-old boy, also died of thirst just the same.

The parents, although wanting good for their children, did them harm and caused their deaths.
Forcing their children to fast has proven that they do not understand the commandments of Islam relating to Ramadan and the purpose of fasting.
Children (who did not reach puberty) are not commanded to fast. However, their parents or guardians are strongly recommended to encourage them to fast few days so that they get used to it and they grow up knowing of the worship of fasting as they would know that of praying. In fact this was the practise of the first women of Islam who were living around the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. An example of that is ar-Rubayya' bint Mu'awiyyah who reported that: "The Messenger of Allah,salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, sent a man on the morning of the day of 'Ashurah, to the residences of the Ansar, saying: 'Whoever has spent the morning fasting is to complete his fast. Whoever has not spent this morning fasting should voluntary fast for the remainder of the day.' We fasted after that announcement, as did our young children. We would go to the mosque and make toys stuffed with cotton for them to play with. If one of them started crying due to hunger, we would give them a toy to play with until it was time to eat." [al-Bukhari and Muslim.]

We say that children should fast the "fasting of the birdie" which is having a glass of milk in the morning, something small for lunch and drinking a couple of glasses of water during the day until the sunset.
They should also learn the most important part of fasting, which is seeking more religious knowledge, reading the Quoran and the Hadeeth, helping others, not saying bad words, not shouting, not lying and not talking about others behind their backs. It is part of parental responsibility to monitor the condition of their children during such special circumstances as fasting. 

There are many ways to educate your children about Ramadan, the best and most important of which is to set the good example by fasting properly and behaving according to the Prophetic teachings. This is what your children will take from you first. When you are fulfilling this you can very easily [and they will accept it and practise it easilly as well] teach them what you want. Here are few tips that you can use with your children [you can think of others as well]:

• Depending on their age encourage them to fast a number of days upto every other day or more for those who are almost at the age of puberty. For those who are still young let them fast a day or two and praise them in front of friends and relatives for their achivement.
  
• Let your children go with their father to the Masjid for Maghrib prayer and break the fast with the larger Muslim community to make them feel the gretness of fasting and the unity of Muslims in worshipping Allah.
  
• If your children cannot fast let them eat with you at the time of Maghrib and teach them that you are breaking the fast even if they ate before.
  
• Teach your children the supplication of breaking the fast
  
• Take your children to the Taraweeh prayer so that they get used it and know about it from their early age. They may sit or stay in the back of the prayer room if they get tired.
  
• Teach them to give charity. Do it in front of them and tell them you are doing it because the reward increases in Ramadan.
  
• Teach them to recite Qur'an regularily and inform them that the Prophet (S) used to do that in Ramadan.
  
• Correct them if they behave wrongly or say unaccaptable words and remind them that they are fasting ot they are in Ramadan and this may alter their reward.
  
• Wake them up for Suhoor [even if they don't fast] and Fajr prayer.
  
• Teach them to feed the people fasting and tell them about the reward for that.
  
• Dress them in the best clothes, give them a bath and take them with you to the Eid Prayer. Teach them that this is our feast and celebration and that christmas, easter, thanksgiving and other holidays are not ours. Stress the distinction.
  

and remember that the Prophet salla allahu alaihi wa sallam said:
"One who is given the responsibility of the bringing up of daughters and treats them well will be a shield for him from Hell. [Bukhari and Muslim]

I really don't know what to write about the sadness i feel inside when im thinking about the death of those two children. May Allah grant them paradise and forgive their parents.

(Quraan: 2:156): "Inna lil-laahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon"
[Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.]