Accidentally Eating or Drinking During Ramadan Fasting, Is It Still Valid and Considered a Blessing?

Kapanlagi.com - In the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world are obligated to observe Ramadan fasting. Ramadan fasting is carried out by refraining from eating, drinking, and certain activities from dawn until sunset. Ramadan fasting is performed as a form of devotion and respect to Allah SWT.

However, in its implementation, there are many things that Muslims often experience, sometimes at the beginning someone forgets and accidentally eats or drinks. Therefore, every time Ramadan arrives, the ruling on Muslims who accidentally eat or drink during Ramadan fasting is always a topic of discussion.

So, what is the actual ruling on accidentally eating or drinking during Ramadan fasting, is it still valid? To find out, let's directly review the following discussion:

1. Hadith About Fasting But Accidentally Eating and Drinking

Hadith About Fasting But Accidentally Eating and Drinking (credit: unsplash)

In Islam, Ramadan fasting is one of the obligatory acts of worship. In fact, fasting is part of the third pillar of Islam. The recommendation to fast during Ramadan for Muslims is conveyed directly by Allah SWT through His words in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 183, which means:

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous" (Quran, Al-Baqarah: 183).

Based on this, Ramadan fasting is considered a very sacred act of worship. However, Islam provides many concessions for its followers when they encounter difficulties in worship, including accidentally eating and drinking during fasting.

According to several hadiths, a Muslim who accidentally eats and drinks is considered not to have broken their fast. Here is one hadith that explains this:

"Whoever eats due to forgetfulness while fasting, let them complete their fast, for indeed Allah has provided them with food and drink" (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Since it is not considered broken, a Muslim who accidentally or forgetfully eats and drinks while fasting is not required to make up for the missed fast or pay expiation or penalty. The following is explained in the hadith:

"Whoever breaks their fast in the month of Ramadan due to forgetfulness, then there is no obligation of qadha for them, nor expiation." (HR Hakim).

2. Considered as a Blessing

Considered as a Blessing (credit: unsplash)

Until now, there are still many scholars discussing the ruling regarding Muslims who unintentionally eat or drink while fasting. One of them is Ustaz Adi Hidayat, who in one of his lectures also quoted the above evidence to explain the ruling of unintentionally eating and drinking while fasting.

"The Prophet Muhammad said: If you are fasting and then forget and eat and drink, then continue your fast," said Ustaz Adi Hidayat as reported by liputan6.com.

Furthermore, Ustaz Adi Hidayat also added that the forgetfulness of a person who is fasting eating and drinking can be a provision. According to him, this can be a way for Allah to provide food and drink to His servants without them realizing it.

The view of unintentionally eating and drinking while fasting as a provision is also explained in a hadith, as follows::

"Whoever forgets while they are fasting, and then they eat and drink, then they should complete their fast, because at that time it is Allah who provides them with food and drink." (HR Bukhari and Muslim).

3. Exception to the Law of Accidentally Eating and Drinking during Ramadan Fasting

Exception to the Law of Accidentally Eating and Drinking during Ramadan Fasting (credit: unsplash)

Although generally, the law of unintentionally eating and drinking during Ramadan fasting is not invalidated, there are exceptions. According to nu.or.id, the law does not apply if someone eats and drinks until finishing one serving. It is believed that it is highly unlikely for someone to eat a large portion while forgetting or accidentally when fasting. Usually, a person will immediately remember their fasting shortly after eating and drinking.

Furthermore, in the nu.or.id site, it is also explained about the limit of the amount of food eaten when someone is fasting but forgets so that it does not invalidate their fasting, which is if it is not more than three bites. However, this assumption is still debated. Some other scholars say that three bites are still considered a small amount, so it is still considered a reasonable limit and does not invalidate the fast.

Those are some reviews related to the explanation of the law of unintentionally eating or drinking during Ramadan fasting. Hopefully, it is beneficial, can increase religious knowledge, and strengthen faith as a Muslim. Amiin.

(kpl/psp)