Ramadan is closing in...?

Question

Everyone ive asked up till now has had a different opinion on what age you should start fasting full-time.
my dad says: when i reach the age of 13
my islamic teacher (at school): when i hit puberty
my maulvi: around the time you grow pubes and facial hair. im guessing he meant puberty.

Im 14 now, and fasted all of ramadan for the past 3 years. but im not sure if it is compulsory or not.

And another thing. I (and my parents encourage me) am trying to learn all about other religions...basically i dont want to follow blindly. if islam, as everyone claims, is flawless and logical... i ill follow it. i will not follow islam because my parents do, i want to make my own path.
my concern is, do i have to pray and/or fast if i dont completely believe?

Islam makes the most sense to me, but i dont want to neglect other religions, and regret it later... i respect all religions, and am tryig to find my way in life.
Can my parents force me to pray and fast?

& please dont preach

just a concern i had...because in our islamic school books it says children MUST pray from age 7,and if they dont parents should beat them. And my resident country is islamic, and they dont crack down on parents if they hit the child 'for' islam.

No child protection laws. its just a 3rd world country whivh got a lot of oil and money.

Answer 1

I was an atheist but now I am a Muslim.
don't make your parents force you to pray or fast I think you should pray and fast on your own .
and remember your parents love you very much I think you are thier first child.

i am not regret for being muslim.

Answer 2

You should do whatever your most comfortable with. Religion is not about pleasing the people around you, it's something that is supposed to be between you and whatever high power you believe in. I don't think there is anything wrong with exploring other religions, it shows you can think for yourself. You don't need to pray, fast, or do anything else if you don't completely believe in it. You don't even need to have any religious beliefs at all if you choose not to. I encourage you to study and learn as much as you can about other religions and see what feels right for you personally. The most important thing is to keep an open mind, which it looks like your doing.

To put things into perspective, I am an atheist and have been since I was very young. However, I have spent quite a lot of time researching various religions because it interests me. Some people are not happy with my beliefs, but it works for me and they get used to it eventually. People should never be judged based on their faith or lack of faith alone, but on the person that he or she is inside. I have many close friends who are very religious and we get along just fine. I say all this only so that you can get an unbiased answer from someone who will not try to point you in any one direction. I wish you the best of luck

Answer 3

It is good to study all religions. You'll learn about synchronicity(the similarities all religions have).
Islam like all religions has its pluses and minuses. For instance, the Prophet is an ancestor of Abraham. Isaac was Abrahams first son. The Prophet is an ancestor of Isaac.

Abraham was HEBREW and he prayed to the Hebrew God 'YAHWEH.' If we look at the traditions of those times, it would be irrational to believe that Abraham did not teach Isaac about Yahweh. But Isaacs mother was Egyptian and when Isaac returned to Egypt with his mother Hagar, would it be appropriate for the Aramaic people in that area to worship the God of the Hebrew Abraham.

These people were tribal and fiercly independant in their beliefs. The Hebrews had the most cohesive concept of monotheism in the history of mankind. The Hebrew God has a proper NAME. The word ALLAH means 'The God' in Arabic. It is a title not a name. Most muslims do not know this and stumble because of it.

JIHAD or (the holy war) is primarily the battle of oneself to get free from ones own sinful ways. It is only after that battle that one could really be elevated in Islam.

Most muslims as well as people period do not appreciate the state of mind most Arabs were in when the Prophet arrived. The Arabs were idol worshippers and extremely chaotic. The Prophet and Islam changed all that until he died.

Islam makes bold claims, yet the practicing nations of Islam fight each other over doctrine and dogma just like the practicing nations of Christianity argue and fight with each other. The two religions also fight each other.

Islam like all other religions is a system. Is it best for you?
Only you can tell, just don't blow yourself up, the Koran does not advise it.

Answer 4

Even if not required the symbolism is still of value.
If you don't believe it's wasted effort.
Honor your Father and your Mother. That means their beliefs too.
If an unbeliever in the great lie that is Islam,
Seek God through His Son Jesus and you can stop looking.
Never expect perfection in religion only through a personal relationship with God and Jesus can perfection be found, but Christianity as Islam and all the rest is about people and there is no perfection in humanity.
Your parents should not have to force you .
Do as they ask and then discuss not argue with them after wards.

Answer 5

im 14 too, and i'v been fasting since i was like 7, ur really supposed to start when you hit puberty, which is different for everyone

and besides, if you'v been fasting for the past 3 years, that means you can do it, and if you can do it, than why not?

its nice to see that you dont want to do what your parents did and follow your own path, if i were you, i wouldnt ask someone else for advice, rather do the research myself and findout, at the end, it will be Islam if Allah wills

Answer 6

It is good that you are learning about other religions too. Our believes should not be based on blind faith, and thats the reason why the Quran argues and presents logical reasons for belief. Surprisingly enough, the Quran itself provides us with the test of authenticity and offers challanges against itself to prove its veracity. Allah tells us in the Quran:

"Haven't the unbelievers considered if this was from other than Allah, they would find within it many contradictions"

It is the practice of ignorant people to blindly follow what their ancestors followed.

'And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided' [the Quran 2:107]

You have the right to choose your path, no one, not even your parents can force in the matter of religion

Allah clearly says in the Quran;
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut [false gods] and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing [2;256]

Fasting and praying is compulsory for a muslim, who has attained the age of pubtery, but again no one can force you to fast or pray. It is your choice to obey the truth or reject it, as it is clear from the verse I have quoted above....

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. [2;185]

In the end....May God Bless you and guide you and me to the right path that leads to Him. Ameen.

Indeed, the way of life in the sight of Allah(God) is acquiring peace by submitting your will to Him(Islam) [the Quran; 03;019]

Answer 7

im not sure about the right age, i know i've been fasting since young, but all the fasts that you did keep before the proper age, are very good, and you get more reward...your parents have a right in islam to get you to fast and pray and your supposed ot respect it...but then again its your choice too

Answer 8

Salams brother!

I think you are supposed to fast and pray when you reach puberty. No your parents should not force you to do it but they should encourage you. I have a 5 year old daughter and I encourage her to pray, but I don't force her to do anything. I also encourage her by example. Parents do, however, have a responsibility to lead their children down the right path. Take care!

Answer 9

My parents NEVER EVER forced their children to fast especially when we're too young (before baligh). But, they do encouraged us by telling us the benefits of fasting. They even gave rewards to us if we managed to fast from dusk until dawn. Especially my Mom, she will cook our fave dishes. But we have grown up, we know what we shall do and what shall not we do. Alhamdulillah, me and my siblings enjoy fasting a lot, not only for "WAJIB" session but also for "SUNAT" sessions such Monday & Thursday, Rejab, Syawal and etc..

About praying, the responsibility relies on our parents. They shall teach us how to pray properly and in certain extent, they are allowed to hit us, but not violating us. It's in Hadith. As Muslim, we should hold this forever. But, when we're already baligh, the responsibility fall 100% on our shoulders. In other words, we're accountable for our own sins.

So, please think before you leap.

Answer 10

There shouldn't be any compulsion in religion, you do it because you want to. You stay Muslim because in your heart you feel its right, and because you want to. Nobody can force you to fast and pray, those should be things you want to do, and do for the sake of Allah not your parents.

I encourage you too to learn about other religions, as we should have knowlege of them as it helps us understand other people better and strengthen our own beliefs. And if you find one that fits you better than Islam, thats ok too. But if you decide to stay Muslim, please do so because YOU want to, and it is something YOU want to do.