Ramadan 2026: I Mistakenly Drank Water while Fasting, What Should I Do? Islamic Scholar Reacts
- A young Muslim man accidentally drank water while fasting during Ramadan, prompting concern about the validity of his fast
- The young man is bothered about the consequences of what he has done, perhaps he will have to make up for the fast or not
- Islamic scholar Mudathir Ishaq states that according to Islamic rulings, if one forgetfully eats, drinks, or engages in a "private affair" during fasting, the fast remains valid, citing Quranic verses and Hadiths
Legit.ng journalist Nurudeen Lawal has years of experience covering the intersections of Nigerian politics, government policies and religion
As 2026 Ramadan fasting begins, a young Muslim man said he mistakenly drank water around 12 pm, when fasting was still on.
Source: Getty Images
"I was working at home, with a cup of water I didn't finish during the Sahur placed on the table. I unconsciously drank the water (took two gulps) before I remembered that I was observing Ramadan fast.
"Does this make my fasting invalid? I want to know the Islamic ruling on this and what I should do."
Islamic scholar reacts
Mudathir Ishaq is an Islamic scholar and proprietor of Darul Irshaad Islamiyya, Lokogoma Abuja.
The Islamic ruling on a fasting person who eats or drinks, whether inside or outside Ramadan forgetfully is that his/her fast is valid because Allah says at the end of Soorat al-Baqarah:
“_Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error” [al-Baqarah 2:286]
It was narrated in an authentic Hadith from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for the One Who fed him and gave him to drink was Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
The same applies if he has a "private affair" because of forgetfulness; his fast is still valid according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions because of this aayah and this hadeeth, and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“_Whoever breaks his fast in Ramadan out of forgetfulness, he does not have to make that day up, and he does not have to offer any expiation (kafaarah).” _(Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Haakim).
This wording includes a "private affair" and other things that break the fast if the fasting person does them because of forgetfulness. This is from the mercy, bounty and kindness of Allah, for which we praise and thank Him.
Ramadan 2026: 8 People Who Are Exempt from Fasting
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) listed eight categories of persons exempt from Ramadan fasting.
According to UMS, young children are not obligated to fast because one of the conditions of fasting is reaching puberty (baligh). This ruling is supported by a hadith (the sayings or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, revered by Muslims as a major source of religious law and moral guidance).
The obligation (of fasting) does not apply to three groups of people: a child until they reach puberty, a person with insanity until they regain sanity, and a person who is asleep until they wake up. (HR. Abu Dawud and Ahmad).
Disclaimer: Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers' decisions about solving problems. Readers should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any decision.
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