During Ramadan Can You Drink Water Important Rules

“During Ramadan can you drink water?” is a question I hear every year, especially from new Muslims, school students, and colleagues in the UK/USA who see people fasting through long workdays. It sounds tough, and it’s natural to wonder if Islam really expects someone to go without even water.

After this opening, if you want a simple guide that explains fasting rules in plain English, here’s one option: Search for “Ramadan fasting guidebook” on Amazon.

Problem → Insight → Solution (A Simple Journey)

The problem is confusion. People see Muslims fasting and assume it’s only “no food.” Then they hear “no water either,” and it feels extreme. Muslims themselves sometimes worry about health, headaches, or working outside in summer.

The insight is that the Ramadan fast is a specific act of worship with set hours and clear limits. The solution is learning the rule, the reasons, and practical hydration habits at night.

The Simple Answer: Water Is Not Allowed During Fasting Hours

If you’re fasting, you don’t drink water from the start of true dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). That’s the standard Ramadan fast. Water counts as drinking, and drinking breaks the fast.

Outside fasting hours—after sunset and before dawn—you can and should drink plenty of water.

For a general overview of Ramadan fasting practices, here’s a simple summary: Wikipedia’s Ramadan page.

Qur’an References

1) Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 187

Transliteration (short): Wa kulu wa shrabu hatta yatabayyana lakumu al-khaytu al-abyadu…
Meaning: Eat and drink until dawn becomes clear, then complete the fast until night. Surah Al-Baqarah 2:187 on Quran.com

2) Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 185

Transliteration (short): …fa man shahida minkumu ash-shahra fal-yasumhu…
Meaning: Whoever witnesses the month should fast, and Allah wants ease, not hardship. Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 on Quran.com

Hadith References

1) Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 2217

Meaning: Fasting is described as a “shield,” showing it protects a person through self-control and worship. Read “fasting is a shield” in Sunan an-Nasa’i

2) Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1673

Meaning: If someone forgetfully eats or drinks, they complete the fast—highlighting that eating and drinking are core things avoided during fasting. See the forgetful eating and drinking ruling in Sunan Ibn Majah

Why Can’t You Drink Water During Ramadan?

People often ask, “Why can’t you drink water during Ramadan?” like it’s a punishment. But fasting isn’t meant to harm you. It’s a worship practice that trains patience, gratitude, and discipline. Water is included because the fast is about stepping away from basic physical needs for a set time.

It also creates a shared experience. Rich and poor feel hunger and thirst. Busy and relaxed feel it too. That shared struggle builds empathy and humility.

For a broader explanation of fasting across religions and cultures, Britannica’s overview is useful: Britannica’s article on fasting.

A Hanafi-Friendly Practical Rule (Clear and Calm)

In Hanafi fiqh, the basic rule is simple: anything that is intentionally eaten or drunk during fasting hours breaks the fast. Water is the clearest example. Accidentally swallowing water while rinsing the mouth is also a risk, so people are careful.

But Islam is also realistic. If someone is genuinely ill, traveling, pregnant with medical risk, or harmed by fasting, they may have a concession to make up fasts later. That’s part of “Allah wants ease.” (quran.com)

Also Read: Ramadan Fasting Rules: Intimacy, Ghusl, Music/TV, Vitamins, Pregnancy

During Ramadan Can You Drink Water? Important Rules, Beliefs, Holy Month, Pillar of Islam, Prayer, Ramadan

Suitable Situations Table: What You Can Do About Thirst

Can you drink water during Ramadan?

Situation	Can you drink water?	What to do instead	Helpful note
Between Fajr and Maghrib (fasting hours)	❌ No	Rest, avoid sun, reduce activity	Drinking breaks the fast
Right at Maghrib (iftar time)	✅ Yes	Drink water first, then eat light	Hydration starts immediately
Between Maghrib and sleep	✅ Yes	Sip steadily, don’t chug only once	Spread water over hours
Suhoor time (before Fajr)	✅ Yes	Drink slowly with a balanced meal	Add salt/minerals via food
Very hot workday (outdoors)	❌ No (if fasting)	Speak to a scholar/doctor if unsafe	Safety comes first in serious harm

A Simple Hydration Plan That Actually Works

Many people drink water only at iftar, then wonder why they feel dizzy by noon. Try this instead:

Iftar: 2 glasses of water over 20–30 minutes
After dinner: 2 more glasses slowly
After taraweeh: 1–2 glasses
Before sleep: 1 glass
Suhoor: 2 glasses, slowly, not all at once

This keeps your body steady, especially in long UK summer fasts.

Quick Tips to Reduce Thirst (Without Weird Hacks)

Avoid very salty snacks at night
Limit caffeine close to suhoor (it can increase dehydration)
Eat watery foods: cucumbers, soup, melon
Don’t overdo spicy foods
Use a reusable bottle after iftar so you sip, not forget

These little habits protect your energy without turning Ramadan into a health struggle.

Why No Water While Fasting? For a simple Islamic resource explaining fasting and its purpose, you can read: Islamic Relief UK’s page on Sawm (fasting).

Also, for Quran learning and Islamic reading, you can mention and explore www.quranmualim.com as an Islamic site.

3–5 Hanafi Fiqh Book Titles (Titles Only)

Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah (Fatawa Alamgiriyyah)
Radd al-Muhtar ‘ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar
Bada’i al-Sana’i
Al-Mabsut
Nur al-Idah

FAQ

1) During Ramadan can you drink water if you feel very thirsty?

No, not during fasting hours. If you fear real harm or illness, speak to a doctor and scholar. Islam allows concessions for genuine hardship.

2) Can you drink? water during Ramadan by mistake?

If you truly forgot and drank, many scholars say you continue fasting, and it doesn’t count against you. Just stop as soon as you remember.

3) Why can’t you drink water during Ramadan even though it’s not food?

Because the fast includes abstaining from both eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. It’s a defined act of worship with clear boundaries.

4) Can I rinse my mouth or brush my teeth while fasting?

Yes, but be careful not to swallow water or toothpaste. Keep it light, especially in the morning, and spit thoroughly.

5) What’s the best way to avoid dehydration in long UK/USA fasts?

Spread water through the night, eat balanced foods at suhoor, and reduce caffeine and salty foods. A steady plan beats last-minute chugging.

Conclusion

Can Muslims Drink Water in Ramadan? Ramadan fasting is challenging, but it’s not meant to break you. The answer to “During Ramadan, can you drink water is clear: not during fasting hours, yes after sunset and before dawn. When you understand the reason and follow a hydration plan, the fast feels more manageable and more meaningful.

And the deeper point is simple: thirst reminds you why worship matters. You’re not just avoiding water—you’re building patience, gratitude, and strength that lasts beyond Ramadan.

Read the detailed guide:

A) Marriage / Intimacy While Fasting

Read detailed guide:

B) Lifestyle / Entertainment

C) Purity / Ghusl & Timing