A fasting person inattentively drinks water

26/07/2010| IslamWeb

Question: One day, during the daytime in Ramadan, an argument broke out between myself and another person at work. I felt the dryness of my saliva because I had spoken a lot, and so I asked someone to bring me a glass of water to rinse my mouth. While I was talking, someone brought a bottle of water and I inattentively drank two sips. Immediately thereafter I became aware of the fact that I was fasting and stopped drinking. I continued my fasting until the Maghrib (sunset). What is the Sharee‘ah ruling on my fasting?


Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

 

It seems that you did not remember that you were fasting when you drank that water, and this is like drinking out of forgetfulness. Consequently, your fasting is valid and you are not required to make up for that day, according to the preponderant view which we adopt in Islamweb. The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever forgetfully eats or drinks let him complete his fasting, for Allah has provided him with food and drink." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

However, if you drank the water while remembering that you were fasting, then you would be required to repent and make up for that day. Allah Knows best.