The Age Of Fasting & Children Breaking Their Fast

Answer 1: When children reach the age of seven, they should be told to fast if they have the ability and strength to do so. When children reach the age of ten years, they should be punished by beating them (i.e. reprimanded lightly) if they refuse to fast. It has been mentioned in Fatawa Shaami:

Translation: And command a child to fast, if he has the ability to do so and when he enters the age of ten years, he should be beaten (reprimanded lightly) for refusing to fast, which is similar to the Shari’ah ruling of Salaah. This is from amongst the correct views. Concerning the above ruling Allama Shaami (may Allah have mercy on him) writes in Fatawa Shaami:

Translation: Allama Tahtaawi (may Allah have mercy on him) states: the ability and strength for fasting has been fixed at the age of seven years. However, the observations in our time has shown that children do not have the strength and ability to fast at that age in this era. In my opinion the strength and ability will change with due consideration to the effect of the difference in time, between the body, relative to heat and cold. Taking this into consideration it becomes obvious, when a child will not have the strength to fast for a whole month, then he shall be ordered to fast in accordance to his strength and ability. (Fataawa Shaami, Vol.4, Page 105/106, Book of Fasting - Zia-ul-Quran Publications, Lahore)

Answer: 2: If a minor breaks his fast after fasting, it is not necessary to make it up. However, if he breaks his Salaah prayer, he must repeat the performance of that Salaah. It is stated in Fatawa Shaami:

Translation: When a child breaks his fast, he will not repeat it as atonement, because it is difficult for him. Concerning the matter of prayer, the conditions are different. He will be ordered to perform the prayers because performing the prayers does not cause him any difficulties. (Fataawa Shaami, vol. 4, Page 106, Book of Fasting - Zia-ul-Quran Publications, Lahore)

It is stated in Bahaar e Shariat as follows: "If a child reaches the age of ten years, and he has the strength to fast, then he should be made to fast, and if he does not fast, he should be reprimanded and made to fast. If it is seen that he has the full strength to keep fast, but he kept the fast and then broke it, the command of Qaza will not be given to him, but if he breaks his Namaaz, he should be made to repeat it." (Bahaar e Shariat, Volume 5, Page 119) However, fasting becomes obligatory on a child when he becomes an adult. The appearance of any signs of puberty will cause a child to become an adult, or when the child turns fifteen years old. In either case, the child is now regarded as an adult and fasting becomes obligatory upon them.