It was the first of Ramazan and everyone in my home woke up at Sehr. I am an eight-year-old boy and we live in a joint family.

All my cousins are elder than me and they were all set to fast. This year I also decided to join the league and keep a fast.

My parents supported my wish but my mother was a little reluctant as she knew that it was always difficult for me to control my hunger and thirst. But my father assured her of my spirits and ability to manage my fast.

All my family members were happy as it was my very first fast, my roza kushai.

I was excited to have sehri with my family members. We had khajla, pheni, tea, halwa and puri. I also had fresh fruit juice to keep myself hydrated throughout the day. Then it was time for the Fajr prayer — my first fast thus began!

I had a wonderful day at school and not for even a single moment did I feel hungry or thirsty. I was amazed at my spirits as I always used to feel hungry at lunch break. But God really helps us if we decide to follow His path.

I came back home, then went to the mosque with my cousins and performed the Zuhar prayer. I have seen my friends pass their time, while fasting, by watching movies and playing computer games. This is against the true essence of fasting! Fastingdoes not mean we have to only remain hungry and thirsty but during the month of Ramazan, God expects us to refrain from worldly pleasures as much as possible and to do good deeds.

I, keeping this in mind, performed all the prayers on time, recited the Holy Quran and then helped in the arrangements of my roza kushai party. I also sat with my grandmother for half an hour and she read the Holy Quran’s translation for me and it really helped me understand what our religion expects from us.

My father returned from work in the afternoon. I was delighted to see that he had brought for me a new dress. On the other hand, my mother was preparing many delicious food for Iftar. She didn’t forget to prepare all that I loved to eat, for example, palak pakoray with tamarind chutney, dahi baray, chana chaat, fruit chaat, spring rolls and samosay.

“Thank you so much mom!” I said and hugged my mom for doing so much for me.

An hour before Iftar my relatives began to arrive as they had been invited specially for this occasion. I was too happy and excited for everything that the whole day passed and I didn’t feel hungry or thirsty.

Finally the moment arrived when the Magrib Azaan started and we could open the fast. I prayed and first eat dates, and then had some water too. Everyone hugged and congratulated me for my courage and determination. All of us then had the scrumptious food prepared by my mother.

It wasn’t the end of my responsibilities for the day, in fact, it was the beginning! I went to the mosque to perform Taraweeh and Isha prayers. I came back home and was feeling wonderful after spending a day following the Commands of All Mighty Allah.

My mother asked me to have some light food at dinner and go to sleep early as I had to wake up at Sehr for my next fast.