Why Can't You Drink Water During Ramadan? Learn Islam

Why Can’t You Drink Water During Ramadan? Learn Islam is one of the most searched questions every year, especially among Muslims in the UK and USA who work long hours, commute, or fast in warmer weather. The short answer is simple: during fasting hours, you don’t drink water. But the “why” and the “what if” matter too.

If you want a practical, day-by-day Ramadan companion, here’s one helpful option: The Productive Muslim: Where Faith Meets Productivity (Amazon).

The confusion Muslims often feel

The confusion usually comes from real life, not from bad intentions. People hear different opinions, see social media clips, or compare fasting to other faith traditions. Some also mix up “fasting rules” with “health advice.”

That’s why questions like “During Ramadan, can you drink water?” keep coming up—especially for first-time fasters.

The key insight: fasting has a clear boundary

Islamic fasting has a clear daily boundary: from true dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib). In that window, you intentionally avoid food and drink, including water.

Outside that window, you eat and drink normally, with balance. This daily pattern is part of what makes Ramadan a month of discipline, gratitude, and spiritual focus.

Why this rule matters in Ramadan

People sometimes ask why you can’t drink water during Ramadan when water feels “basic” and necessary. The rule isn’t meant to punish you. It’s meant to train your will.

Fasting builds a kind of inner strength that shows up in small ways:

You learn patience when your body wants quick comfort
You become more grateful at iftar
You notice your habits, not just your hunger
You grow empathy for people who lack basics daily

The simple fiqh rule in everyday English

Think of fasting like a daily “trust contract” between you and Allah:

If you choose to drink water during fasting hours, the fast is broken.
If you forget and accidentally drink, the ruling is different (explained below).
If you are sick or at risk, Islam gives you lawful options, not guilt.

For a quick background on Ramadan itself, this overview is useful: Ramadan summary on Wikipedia.

Qur’an references with transliteration and short translations

Below are two highly relevant verses, with Alim.org links (rotation followed).

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:183)
Transliteration: Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū kutiba ʿalaykumu aṣ-ṣiyāmu…
Meaning: Fasting is prescribed so you can develop taqwa (self-control and God-consciousness). Read here: Al-Baqarah 2:183 on Alim.org
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:187)
Transliteration: Wa kulū wa ishrabū ḥattā yatabayyana lakumu al-khayṭu al-abyaḍ… thumma atimmū aṣ-ṣiyāma ilā al-layl…
Meaning: Eat and drink until dawn becomes clear, then complete the fast until night. Read here: Al-Baqarah 2:187 on Alim.org

Hadith references with short translations

This article’s Hadith rotation uses Sunan Abu Dawood + Jami` at-Tirmidhi (as requested). Links are from Sunnah.com.

Sunan Abi Dawood 2398
Meaning: A man said he ate and drank forgetfully while fasting; the Prophet ﷺ said Allah fed him and gave him drink. Read: guidance on forgetful eating/drinking while fasting (Abu Dawood 2398)
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 696
Meaning: The Prophet ﷺ would break his fast with dates; if not available, he would take a few sips of water. Read: how the Prophet ﷺ broke his fast with water when needed (Tirmidhi 696)

What happens if you accidentally drink water?

People worry a lot about this, and honestly, it’s a good sign. It means you care about your worship. If you truly forgot and took a sip, you stop as soon as you remember.

That question—what happens if you accidentally drink water during Ramadan—is answered by the prophetic teaching: forgetfulness does not count like deliberate breaking.

For a clear, reader-friendly explanation, you can also read the following: SeekersGuidance on forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting

A quick practical step-by-step

If it happens, do this:

Stop immediately when you remember
Rinse your mouth (optional, if it helps you feel clean)
Continue fasting as normal
Don’t spiral into guilt—just be more mindful next time

Solution tools: checklist + “suitable situations” table

Here’s a simple checklist that works in real life, especially for busy UK/ USA schedules:

Drink steadily from iftar to suhoor (don’t chug all at once)
Reduce salty and very spicy foods at night
Keep a water bottle visible after iftar (not during the day)
Sleep earlier when possible, so suhoor feels easier
Plan lighter workouts near iftar, not midday

Also Read: Taraweeh Prayer: Meaning, Method, Time, Rakats & Duas (Complete Guide)

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

Suitable situations table

Situation	What to do	Why it helps
Dry mouth at work	Use a miswak or brush gently	Freshens breath without drinking
Heavy outdoor job	Take breaks in shade, slow your pace	Reduces dehydration stress
Headache midday	Rest and reduce screen brightness	Lowers strain and fatigue
Forgot and sipped water	Stop, continue fasting	Forgetfulness is excused in hadith
Worried about health	Ask a qualified doctor and scholar.	Islam doesn’t demand harm

Habit tips that make fasting easier

Small habits beat big promises. Try two or three:

“Front-load hydration” at suhoor: drink water, then wait 10 minutes, then drink again.
Swap caffeine timing: if you rely on tea/coffee, keep it mild and earlier at night.
Build a wind-down routine: Maghrib → prayer → meal → walk → Isha/Taraweeh → sleep.

And for general Islamic learning and Quran support, you can visit www.quranmualim.com as a helpful Islamic site.

Hanafi fiqh book

Here are Hanafi works (different from the previous article), commonly found in libraries/archives:

Nur al-Idah
Maraqi al-Falah (Sharh Nur al-Idah)
Mukhtasar al-Quduri
Al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab
Fatawa Qadi Khan

A brief note for UK and US Muslims

Long fasts happen in some seasons, and that can feel tough. Still, the daily structure is consistent: from dawn to sunset, then you rehydrate and refuel.

Britannica sums it up clearly: Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and eat and drink only before sunrise and after sunset. Britannica’s Ramadan overview.

FAQ

Is it allowed to rinse my mouth while fasting?

Yes, rinsing is allowed, but be careful not to swallow water. Keep it light, especially if you feel you might accidentally drink.

If I drank water on purpose, what should I do?

Your fast for that day is broken. Repent sincerely, and ask a reliable scholar about making up the day and any further ruling.

What if I accidentally drank and then kept on drinking?

Stop as soon as you remember. If you continued after remembering, that becomes deliberate. In that case, you should seek guidance for your specific situation.

Can I drink water during very hot weather if I feel weak?

If you fear harm or serious illness, Islam gives allowances. Speak to a doctor and a trusted scholar to choose the safest, correct option.

How can I prevent dehydration without drinking in the day?

Hydrate between iftar and suhoor, reduce salty foods, and pace your activity. A short nap and lighter midday workload also help.

Also Read: Tahajjud Prayer: How to Pray, What to Recite & Best Duas

Conclusion

During Ramadan, Can You Drink Water? is one of the most searched questions every year, especially among Muslims it becomes easy to answer once you see the bigger picture: fasting is a daily, time-bound act of worship, and water is included in what you avoid until sunset. When accidents happen, Islam is merciful and practical. Keep your routine simple, stay consistent, and let Ramadan shape you into a stronger, calmer person—one day at a time.

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