Dubai: Seven-year-old Hussain Ebrahim Gadiwala, Grade I student at the Gems Modern Academy, is looking forward to observing the daylong fast for the whole of Ramadan this time. Born in January 2011, the little boy observed his first-ever fast at the tender age of four, during Al Isra Wal Miraj in 2015.
Last year, the then six-year-old was a kindergarten student and managed to observe intermittent fasting during the holy month. He observed the dawn-to-dusk fast on weekends and some select days, according to his mother Arwa Gadiwala.
“I told him he need not fast but Hussain who has been going regularly to the madrasa for religious instruction on weekends along with his elder brother Esmail was very keen to observe the fast during the holy month,” she said.
Hussain narrated how he was inspired to fast in the past. “At the madrasa, they teach us that fasting teaches us tolerance, peace and discipline and helps us to be better human beings, so I decided that I would fast. The one-day fasting on Al Isra Wal Miraj was not difficult. Last year, my elder brother Esmail observed the fast for all 30 days. I wanted to do the same but could manage to fast only on weekends and a few days before Eid,” recalled Hussain.
Like everyone else in his family, on fasting days last year, Hussain used to wake up early for suhour. “We used to sleep early and wake up at 3am. My mother would make a delicious egg roll with fresh chapatis and vegetables and I used to have fruits and water as well. Later when I had to go to school, I would not feel hungry or thirsty. I had been so proud to tell my friends that I was fasting,” recalled Hussain.
The little boy said how his mother would not let him sleep during the day. “After suhour and prayer, I would sleep till 8.30-9am on weekends. My brother Esmail and I would get so busy playing with our friends that it wasn’t difficult for us to spend the day. But towards evening before iftar, I would feel very hungry,” he confessed shyly.
Iftar for the Gadiwala family usually would have dates, some soup and water followed by a homemade dinner of lamb, rice, vegetables, chapati and dessert.
“I love the food my mum makes and once I am full, it is difficult to keep my eyes open during weekends so we would be in bed by 9pm so that we could get up for suhour without any problem,” he explained.
The Gadiwala family is very pious and loves to have an exclusive family time during Ramadan. Hussain is keen to observe the fast for the whole of Ramadan this time. “If Esmail can do it, I can too!” he said.
“This time, it is warmer and I am going to school and I have a chance to tell all my friends I am fasting for Ramadan,” Hussain said, with the glint of pride in his eyes.
