Question: Does accidentally eating or drinking invalidate the fast?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
Fasting in Ramaḍān is a fundamental obligation, and its nullifiers are clearly outlined in the Qur’ān and Sunnah. Among these nullifiers is intentional eating and drinking. However, when the act is done forgetfully, the ruling differs.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“مَن نَسِيَ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ فَأَكَلَ أَوْ شَرِبَ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ، فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَسَقَاهُ”
“Whoever forgets while he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who fed him and gave him drink.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
This ḥadīth is a clear proof that accidental eating or drinking does not invalidate the fast. All four madhāhib—Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī—are in agreement that a fast is valid if one eats or drinks forgetfully. However, once the person remembers, they must immediately stop. If they continue knowingly, the fast is broken and must be made up.
Thus, if a fasting person eats or drinks while unaware of their fast due to forgetfulness, their fast remains valid. The act is not considered a breach, and no expiation is due.
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ.