What Should Parents Do if a 12-13-Year-Old Girl Misses Fasting?

By: Sheikh Ibn Jibreen (May Allah have mercy on him)

Question:​

If a 12 or 13-year-old girl has passed Ramadan without fasting, what is required of her or her parents? Is she obligated to fast at this age, and if she does not, is anything required of her?

Answer:​

A woman becomes accountable for observing the obligations of Shariah under the following conditions:

Conditions for Accountability:​

1. Islam:
   She must be a Muslim.
2. Sanity:
   She must be of sound mind.
3. Puberty:
   Puberty (bulugh) is a key condition for being accountable, and it is identified by the following signs:
   
   1. Menstruation (Hayd): The onset of monthly periods.
   2. Nocturnal Emission (Ihtilam): A wet dream that results in the discharge of sexual fluid.
   3. Growth of Pubic Hair: The appearance of coarse hair around the private parts.
   4. Reaching the Age of 15: If none of the above signs appear, puberty is assumed upon completing 15 lunar years.

Ruling for the Girl:​

• If the girl meets the conditions of accountability, particularly if she has reached puberty, then fasting becomes obligatory (fard) for her.
• If she did not fast despite being accountable, she must make up for the missed fasts (qada) after Ramadan.

If She Is Not Yet Accountable:​

• If the girl does not meet any of the conditions of accountability (e.g., she has not yet reached puberty), she is not obligated to fast, and nothing is required of her or her parents.

Parents’ Responsibility:​

Parents should guide their child toward fulfilling Islamic obligations as they approach the age of accountability. Encouraging her to fast, even before it becomes obligatory, helps instill discipline and prepares her for her religious duties.

Conclusion:​

• If the girl has reached puberty, she must make up for missed fasts, and fasting is obligatory for her.
• If she has not yet reached puberty, no fasting or compensation is required. Parents should focus on encouraging and training her to observe fasting as part of her spiritual development.

Reference:
This ruling is based on the fatwa of Al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah (The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta).