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Fasting
I accidentally ate or drank while fasting
Your Situation
You forgot you were fasting and ate or drank something, then remembered partway through — or right after.
What to know
This is one of the clearest, most reassuring rulings in fiqh: eating or drinking out of genuine forgetfulness does not break your fast. It's treated as something Allah provided you in that moment, not a violation.
What you can do
- Stop eating or drinking the moment you remember.
- Continue your fast exactly as normal — there's nothing further to do.
- According to the majority of scholars (Shafi'i, Hanafi, and others), no make-up day and no expiation are required.
- If you see someone else eating or drinking while fasting, it's encouraged to gently remind them — this is considered part of enjoining good.
Worth knowing: The Maliki school takes a different, minority position: they hold that the fast should still be made up later (though without expiation), even if it was a genuine mistake. If you follow the Maliki madhhab, it's worth confirming this with a teacher from that school specifically.
DeenGuide gives general, sourced guidance — it isn't a fatwa. For your specific personal situation, consult a qualified local scholar.
