Incentive for fasting

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاتهُ.

Respected Mufti

As an incentive to fast, a man tells his 12 year old grandson that he will pay him R10.00 for every fast that he keeps.

Will this not distract the child from his intention of performing deeds only for the pleasure of اللَّه تَعَال ?

I feel that the child should be allowed to fast and at the end of Ramadaan he should be given a reward so that he learns that good deeds are rewarded but good deeds should not be performed for money.

Please comment

Shukran

Assalaamu alaykum

It is permissible to get children to fast using such incentives.

Part of the method of nuturing children is to first get them accustomed to the action, then correct their intention.

We learn this from the Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam where he instructst the parents to command their children to perform Salaah when they are seven years old, and to hit them when they are ten years old.

A ten year old who is not used to performing Salaah will thus do so out of fear for the hiding. However, once it becomes his habit, such fear will dissipate on its own.

And Allah Ta'ala knows best

Was salaam

Emraan Vawda