Umm Aya - Musas First Fast

Umm Aya

Musa and his First Fast

Learn about Ramadan with Musa, Bilal and Aya

First published by MH Publishing 2021

Copyright 2021 by Umm Aya

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Second edition

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This is the second edition of the book entitled Musa and his First Fast. I have updated the title from the previous one, as well as having updated the questions that are present at the end of each chapter. I wanted to ensure that the questions reflect a multi-faith audience and to ensure that other faiths are captured within the questioning and the thinking around the subjects. The reason for this is that whilst many people will come to this story with a keen desire to understand about the way in which Muslims experience the month of Ramadhan and the concept of fasting, I also wanted to highlight that Islam is not the only world faith that has a tradition of fasting within it, and to highlight the similarities of faith, rather than the differences. The illustrations have not been updated, and are still very entertaining and enjoyable for children!

With much love,

Umm Aya

One Sunday morning, Musa was playing with his toys when his Mum called him for lunch. He could smell cheese, its aroma rising up the stairs, and he was excited about eating cheese sandwiches. He went to the bathroom to wash his hands, as it was the sunnah.

He ran down the stairs, and when he entered the kitchen, his little brother and sister, Bilal and Aya, were already at the table enjoying their lunch. Musa sat down and he read his bismillah.

As they all sat eating, Bilal and Aya giggled away and made funny faces at each other. Musa made a really funny face, and they both burst out laughing. Musa knew that his mother loved cheese and thought that she would be having a sandwich too. But he was surprised to see that his mummy and daddy were not eating anything. He wondered why, and thought it might be something to do with Ramadhan, which his parents talked about a lot.

Musa notices his Mummy and Daddy havent eaten or drunk anything all day

As Musa was a very brave boy, he asked his mummy about what he had noticed, Mummy, why havent you eaten your cheese sandwich yet?

She lovingly cuddled him and said, Son, Ramadan is a holy month during which we fast from sunrise to sunset.

You cant eat or drink during the entire day? Asked Musa.

Yes, my dear boy, but there is a wisdom behind that. Fasting teaches us many qualities such as self-discipline, self-control and also sacrifice. God had told people to fast even before the Prophet Muhammad. Allah has told us about this in the Quran, that he had told the Jews and Christians to fast so that we can be more mindfulsaid his mummy.

" Also, by not eating and drinking, we feel the suffering of those who are less fortunate explained his Father.

Musas parents explaining the meaning of fasting to Musa

1. Can you xplain what is happening in the pictures?
2. What does the word sunnah mean to you?
3. What does the word mindful mean to you?
4. Can you draw what it must be like to fast whilst living in a desert?
5. What does the bismillah mean? What is its full meaning in English?
6. Describe what sunrise and sunset means?
7. How long is a fast in Ramadhan where you live? (in hours)

[Research topics if interested/relevant to the childs age/ability]

1. Which other faith communities fast around the world?
2. Where in the Quran has Allah said that he had also told Jews and Christians to fast?
3. Could you have 2 conversations with your friends at school about fasting, and discuss what it means to you, and also ask if they have any questions about it.

You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you be mindful of God (2:183)

Later than night, Musa kept thinking about fasting and imagining himself in the desert without food or drink. Thats when it occurred to him; the following day, he was going to try to not eat or drink until sunset. Neither Mum nor Dad knew about Musas plan.

The next day was the first day of the summer holidays, and it was also the first time Musa had tried to to fast. He played with his siblings to pass time and he had lots of fun playing catch with them. It was nearly noon, and he was getting a bit hungry now.

Meanwhile, his mum has just finished preparing oat cookies. Musa loves oat cookies! They are his favourite snack. The smell was exquisite. Once the table was set, the children assembled around the table to eat the delicious cookies. Mummy said, Ok children, remember to say your bismillah, and then eat your lovely yummy cookies. She then left the kitchen. Musa tried to resist the urge to eat

Musa resists the oat cookies

However, by now he was too hungry, and felt like he couldnt wait anymore. Slowly, he walked over, and picked up two cookies. After briefly hesitating, he gobbled up both oat cookies at once!

Musa eating two oat cookies at the same time!

Oh no what have I done, thought Musa.

I know what, he said to himself, I must tell Mummy, what happened. And with that, he started looking for his mummy all over the house.

1. Can you explain what is happening in the pictures?
2. What does the word exquisite mean?
3. What is your favourite food/snack/drink?
4. Why did Musa want to tell his mummy what happened?

Musa found his mummy working on the laptop, and he ran to her and cuddled her.

Whats the matter my dear child? asked Mummy.

After you told me about how Allah wants us to fast, I wanted to do it too. Today I was fasting, but the oat cookies you made for us are so delicious that I just couldnt resist them! explained Musa.