It was the beginning of a new day for Rabia and the sun peeked through the window into her room. She was really happy that day, particularly because she was fasting. She ate a fried egg in sehri, with one and a half roti and a cup of milkshake. She felt fresh and joyful.

Rabia was nine years old and had convinced her mother to let her keep her first fast that day, which she did, but her mother was concerned for Rabia as she was too young to bear the hunger for the whole day.

In the morning, things felt like normal to Rabia and she even went to school. But as the day progressed in school, she felt tired, the blistering hot sun made it even more unbearable. Soon she started feeling thirsty. And when she came home, her mother saw her lethargic and advised her to take a nap, but that too didn’t work and she remained awake.

Then she got up, went to the kitchen and there, she drank a glass full of water without even realising what she was doing. Just when she put the glass back on the kitchen counter, she remembered she was fasting and that she had broken her fast accidentally.

She was shocked for a while, and felt so sad. She ran back to her room and began to cry. While doing her daily errands, her mother thoughtto check how Rabia was doing and so came to her room and saw her daughter crying. Mum came and sat beside Rabia.

“What has happened, dear?” Rabia’s mother asked.

Rabia told her what happened and how she unintentionally drank water.

Her mother smiled and patted Rabia’s back, “Your fast is still valid! My dear, fasting is for Allah and He knows our intention. It’s a really hot day, and besides, you didn’t do it deliberately. If you drank water unintentionally, you should ask Almighty Allah for forgiveness. Remember, it’s our intention that matters the most. Instead of crying, recite the Holy Quran and pray to God to forgive you. Allah is very merciful, He knows what is in your heart and can see how regretful you are.”

Listening to her mother, Rabia felt relieved, she gave her mother a thankful smile and wiped the tears off her face. Rabia felt light-hearted, but still guilty. She obeyed her mother, went to recite the Holy Quran and prayed for forgiveness.

Dear readers, in this blessed month of Ramazan, we should ask for forgiveness from Allah for all our sins. Unintentionally breaking a fast doesn’t invalidate the fast. However, if someone intentionally eats during the fast, they will have to pay kaffarah for it.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 30th, 2024