In this essay we will read about the topic Can You Drink Water While Fasting in Ramadan? Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, in which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other breaking of the fast from dawn to sunset. All Muslim jurists agree that drinking water while fasting breaks the fast. Let us consider this issue in the light of different juristic schools of thought.
Let us try to understand Can You Drink Water While Fasting in Ramadan? in the light of the Quran, Hadith, and the sayings and thoughts of the Imams of the religion.
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
“And eat and drink until the white stripe (of dawn) becomes distinct to you from the black stripe (of night), then complete the fast until nightfall” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 187)
The command to “eat and drink” in this verse refers to the night, which shows that eating and drinking during the day is prohibited.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Indeed, fasting is on the day you fast, and breaking the fast is on the day you break the fast, and praying (Taraweeh) is on the night you pray.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)
Categories: Ramadan, Prayer, The Holy Quran
Ijma’ of the Ummah:
There is consensus among the Muslim Ummah that eating and drinking intentionally breaks the fast. Imam Ibn al-Mundhir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The scholars are unanimous that eating and drinking intentionally breaks the fast.” (Ijma’ of Ibn al-Mundhir)
Arguments from the schools of jurisprudence
Hanafi School:
According to Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him), eating or drinking something intentionally while fasting breaks the fast, whether it is little or much. Their arguments include the aforementioned verse of the Quran and the saying of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): “Whoever is fasting should not speak nonsense or make noise. If someone abuses him or fights him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’” (Sahih Bukhari)
Malikiyah School:
According to Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him), it is forbidden for a fasting person to eat or drink, and doing so breaks the fast. However, if he eats or drinks by mistake, his fast is not broken. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever eats or drinks by mistake, let him complete his fast, for Allah has fed him and given him to drink.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Shafi’iiyah School:
Imam Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) is of the opinion that eating or drinking something intentionally while fasting invalidates the fast and it is obligatory to make it up. According to him, anything that enters the stomach through the mouth breaks the fast.
According to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him), eating or drinking something intentionally while fasting also breaks the fast. They argue from the verse of the Quran, “Then complete the fast until nightfall,” which commands to complete the fast during the day.
Hanbaliyah School:
Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi
Position: The basic principle is that water cannot be drunk during fasting, but exemptions can be made in extremely difficult circumstances.
Arguments:The Holy Quran says: “Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire difficulty for you” (Al-Baqarah: 185)
Shariah rule: “Hardship brings ease”
They say that if not drinking water is dangerous for one’s life, then it is permissible to break the fast
Dr. Mustafa Al-Zarqa:
Position: The main purpose of fasting is piety, not a painful state
Arguments:The main goal of fasting under the objectives of Sharia is to train the soul
If there is excessive pain, Sharia allows for relaxation
It is important to understand the medical issues of hydration in the modern era
Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Bayh:
Position: The general ruling is clear, but there are special rulings in specific situations
Arguments:Jurisprudential rule: “Necessities make forbidden things permissible”
They say that water can be drunk on the advice of a doctor if necessary
Dr. Muhammad Al-Bahi (physician and thinker):
Position: The light of modern medical research I should understand the Sharia rulings
Arguments:Risk of kidney failure due to dehydration.Damage to water is dangerous for heart patients.They say that such patients should not fast
All Muslim jurists agree that intentionally drinking water during the fast of Ramadan breaks the fast and it is necessary to make it up. However, eating and drinking by mistake does not break the fast. This act of fasting actually develops the qualities of piety and patience in a person, which, along with being religious, also plays an important role in building a human personality.
Modern Islamic thinkers agree that drinking water while fasting is fundamentally not permissible. However, they believe in concessions in extremely difficult situations, especially when:
There is a real threat to life. The doctor has forbidden it
Coclussion :
They say that Sharia is a religion of ease and convenience, and giving concessions in such situations is actually in line with the objectives of Sharia. Ultimately, each individual should make the appropriate decision, taking into account their own health and circumstances, and consult scholars if necessary. By the grace of Allah Almighty, we have read about Can You Drink Water While Fasting in Ramadan? in this article.
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