Is There Fasting Expiation for Accidentally Swallowing Water?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

Today I was in the bath and swallowed water while fasting. I involuntary swallowed it. Because of this will I have to do perform the fasting expiation?

The reason I ask about expiation is because I waited even though I knew I might involuntary swallow.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

No, there is no fasting expiation (kaffara) for accidentally swallowing water. But you would need to make this fast up (qada’) after Ramadan.

An accident or mistake occurs when a person is aware of their fast, yet something involuntary happens, such as in your described case. This is different to forgetfulness which is doing something invalidating whilst being unaware of the fast. The latter has no consequence on your fast.

Ask Allah Most High for forgiveness, and then continue proceeding to him with the fasts and your other worship. May He grant you tremendous facilitation.

[Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar ‘ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar (2.110)]

Please also see: The Complete Guide to Fasting

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.