During a Gulshan-e-Waqf-e-Nau MTA program in Australia on October 12, 2013, a young girl asked Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) at what age they should start fasting in Ramadan. Huzoor-e-Anwar (may Allah be his Helper) said:
“Fasting becomes obligatory upon you when you reach full maturity. If you are a student and have exams during Ramadan, and you are around 13, 14 or 15 years old, then you should not fast. However, if you can endure it, then fasting at the age of 15 or 16 is fine. Generally, obligatory fasting begins at 17 or 18 years of age, and after that, it must be observed.
“As for voluntary fasts, if you wish, you may observe one, two, three, or four fasts at the age of eight or 10 years, but they are not obligatory. Fasting becomes mandatory only when you are mature enough to endure it. …
“Children should be trained. Even young children should observe two or three fasts during Ramadan so that they become aware of it. But even if you are not fasting, you should wake up for Sehri, eat a little with your mother and father, and offer voluntary (nafl) prayers and be regular in Salat.
For students and young girls, the essence of Ramadan is to wake up for Sehri, make an effort for it, offer at least two or four nafl prayers beforehand, perform Salat regularly, and recite the Holy Qur’an consistently.”
[Translated from Al-Fazl International, October 27, 2020, p. 29]