Eating or drinking forgetfully while fasting
Question: What is the ruling for a person who, while fasting, ate or drank something forgetfully?
Answer: There is no blame on such a person, and his fast is valid.
Because Allah the Exalted says:
رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِيْنَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا
“Our Lord! Do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake.”
Also, it is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever eats or drinks forgetfully while fasting, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink.”
A hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Whoever breaks his fast in Ramadan forgetfully, there is neither qada nor kaffarah upon him.”
Imam al-Hakim (may Allah have mercy on him) has narrated this hadith and declared it sahih (authentic). The wording of this hadith includes intercourse and all other things that break the fast.
