A young boy UNDER 14 is fasting. He is in competitive sports and he is being rejected for refusing to drink water. What should he do…(he does not want to lose his place on the team)He had rather keep his place in jannah than give up fasting for a place on a team. That will not benefit him at all in the aakhirah while fasting will. Even though he is under 14 he may still be baaligh (Islaamically an adult) and in that case it would be strictly haraam for him to break the fast for sports. He should be advised with kindness and gentleness about the importance of fasting and the benefits of it in this dunya and the aakhirah. He should be reminded of what it is to truly be a Muslim and what it means that fasting Ramadhaan is one of the pillars of Islaam. The young man should be taught this kindly so as not to turn him off the deen. Perhaps the reason for any confusion in his mind is due to the fact that he was not really taught the great importance of this 'ibaadah. Sadly, this is all too common here in the Western world. may Allaah protect us and our youth from going astray.
