Grade 4 islamic religious education DEVOTIONAL ACTS – Saum Notes

Specific Learning Outcomes

• a) Describe types of Saum (fasting) for ease of observance.
• b) Assess the significance of Saum for spiritual growth.
• c) Observe Saum to earn rewards from Allah (with correct intention and care).
• d) Appreciate Saum as a way of earning taqwa (God-consciousness).

1. Types of Saum (Fasting)

Here are the main types of fasting a child should know. Use simple examples and ask learners to draw each type:

• Obligatory fast (Ramadan) — Fasting every day from dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar) during the month of Ramadan. This is for all Muslims who have reached puberty. (🕌🌙)
• Make-up fasts (Qada') — If someone misses a fast (because of sickness, travel, or menstruation), they make it up later. Parents should help plan qada days. (📅)
• Voluntary fasts (Nawafil) — Extra fasts for reward: Mondays and Thursdays, Ashura (10th of Muharram), Arafah (9th of Dhul-Hijjah), six days of Shawwal after Ramadan. Good for those who are able. (⭐)
• Expiation fasts (Kaffarah) — Sometimes required to make up a serious mistake; this is taught by parents/teacher with care. (⚖️)
• Not required for young children — Children under puberty usually do not have to fast, but can practice short fasts or learn by joining family at suhoor and iftar. (👧👦)

2. Why Saum helps spiritual growth

Explain simply how fasting helps a person grow closer to Allah and become a better Muslim:

• Builds patience (Sabr): Waiting for iftar teaches self-control. (🕰️)
• Increases empathy: Feeling hunger helps us care for the poor. (🤝)
• Controls bad habits: Avoiding lying, gossip, and bad deeds during the fast. (✋)
• Reminds us to pray and read Quran: Many people pray more in Ramadan and recite Quran. (📖)
• Increases taqwa (God-consciousness): Fasting helps us remember Allah and try to do good. (🌿)

3. Observing Saum to earn rewards from Allah

Simple points to teach the importance of correct intention and rewards:

• Niyyah (intention): Before fasting, make an intention to fast for Allah. The heart must mean it. (💚)
• Good manners and prayers: The reward is greater when you fast and also do good deeds, pray, and read Quran. (🙏)
• Hadith to remember (simple): The Prophet ﷺ said: whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward will have past sins forgiven. (Teach paraphrase for children.) (📘)
• Health and safety: Those who are sick, very young, old, or travelling should not harm themselves. Fasting must be safe. (🩺)

4. Saum helps earn Taqwa

How fasting leads to being more God-conscious (taqwa):

• Fasting trains the heart to obey Allah and avoid sin.
• Remembering that Allah sees us helps us act kindly and honestly.
• When children practice small fasts with parents, they learn responsibility and faith.

5. How to observe a fast (simple steps)

1. Make niyyah (intention) in your heart before dawn. You can say it in your heart, e.g. "I intend to fast for Allah today."
2. Eat suhoor (a small meal before dawn) with family. (🍽️)
3. From dawn until sunset, do not eat or drink on purpose; also avoid lying and bad behaviour.
4. Break the fast at sunset (iftar) with a date and water if possible, then pray Maghrib. (🌅)
5. Be kind, pray, and read a little Quran — these add to the reward.

Simple dua when breaking the fast (transliteration): "Dhahaba adh-dhama’u, wabtallat al-‘urooqu, wa thabatal ajru insha’Allah." (Teach slowly and explain meaning.)

Suggested Learning Experiences (Activities)

These are child-friendly, active learning tasks suited to Kenyan classrooms and homes.

• Draw and label: Children draw three pictures: suhoor, a person showing patience, and iftar. Teacher asks them to explain each drawing.
• Role-play: Practice saying niyyah, showing how to break the fast politely, and how to say the iftar dua.
• Matching game: Cards with types of fasting and short descriptions — match them (Ramadan, voluntary, qada, kaffarah).
• Discussion circle: Talk about why we should be kind when fasting. Share one thing each child can do to show kindness in Ramadan.
• Home link: Children try one short fast (with parent permission) or shadow a family member during suhoor/iftar and write one sentence about their experience.
• Reward chart: Create a week chart for good deeds during Ramadan (prayer, helping at home, reading a short surah) — give stickers for encouragement.

Assessment (Simple questions and activities)

1. List two types of fasting and give one example for each. (Outcome a)
2. Draw a picture that shows how fasting helps you be kind to others. Explain in one sentence. (Outcome b)
3. Say or write the intention (niyyah) for fasting in your own words. (Outcome c)
4. Tell one way fasting helps you remember Allah (taqwa). (Outcome d)

Teacher note: Use oral answers, drawings or short sentences for assessment. Give praise and gentle correction.

Safety, Inclusiveness and Teacher's Tips

• Children under puberty are not required to fast. Encourage learning by practice (short fasts) only with parents' permission.
• Always check health first — children who are ill, underweight, or have medical needs should not fast.
• Discuss cultural Kenyan practices around Ramadan (community iftars, charity), and include local examples of helping neighbours.
• Make lessons practical and joyful — use stories, songs, and simple crafts to teach values of patience and charity.

Summary: Saum is more than not eating — it teaches patience, kindness, and closeness to Allah. With correct intention, safety, and good manners, children can learn the meaning of fasting and how it builds taqwa.