When should a child start fasting?

1. When fasting becomes obligatory (fard)

Fasting the month of Ramadaan becomes obligatory only after puberty (buloogh). Before puberty, a child is not sinful for not fasting.

This is based on the well-known authentic hadith:

“The Pen has been lifted from three: from the child until he reaches puberty…”

[Narrated by Abu Dawood (no. 4398), authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawood]

Signs of puberty (for boys and girls):

• Reaching 15 lunar years

• Growth of coarse pubic hair

• Emission of semen (wet dream)

• Menstruation (for girls)

This is the position clearly stated by:

Ibn Baaz in Majmooʿ Fataawaa Ibn Baaz, vol. 15, p. 173

Ibn Uthaymeen in Majmooʿ Fataawaa wa Rasaaʾil, vol. 19, p. 76

2. Should children fast before puberty?

Although fasting is not obligatory, scholars agree that children should be trained to fast when they are able, as a form of Islamic upbringing (tarbiyah).

Al-Rubayyiʿ bint Muʿaawidh (radiya Allaahu ʿanha) said:

“We used to make our children fast, and we would give them toys made of wool. If one of them cried for food, we would give it to them until iftaar.”

[Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari (no. 1960); Sahih Muslim (no. 1136)]

This shows that:

• The Companions trained their children to fast

• Training was done with kindness and gradual adaptation

3. At what age should training begin?

There is no fixed age, but scholars give practical guidance.

Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Children should be instructed to fast when they are able, similar to how they are instructed to pray. This is usually from the age of seven, if they can manage it.”

(Majmuʿ Fataawaa Ibn Baaz, vol. 15, p. 180)

Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“If a child is able to fast without harm, then he should be instructed to do so. This was the practice of the Companions.”

(Majmuʿ Fataawaa wa Rasaaʾil, vol. 19, p. 83)

4. Important condition: no harm

Islam does not permit harming children in the name of worship.

Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“If fasting causes harm to the child, then he should not be made to fast.”

(Majmuʿ Fataawaa wa Rasaaʾil, vol. 19, p. 84)

This aligns with the legal maxim:

“There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm.”

[Narrated in Sahih Ibn Maajah (no. 2341), authenticated by al-Albani]

5. If a child reaches puberty during Ramadaan

If a child reaches puberty during Ramadaan, fasting becomes obligatory from that moment onward.

Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:

“If a child reaches puberty during the day while fasting, then that fast counts for him.”

(Majmuʿ Fataawaa Ibn Baaz, vol. 15, p. 174)

6. Scholarly summary

• Obligatory fasting: begins at puberty

• Training: recommended when the child can handle it, commonly around age 7

• Method: gradual, encouraging, without harm

• Basis: authentic Sunnah and practice of the Companions

Final takeaway

Children are not required to fast until puberty. Still, they should be gently trained to fast when they are able—following the example of the Companions and the guidance of the scholars—so that fasting becomes natural and beloved to them as they grow.