Hadith Text & Reference

A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: Messenger of Allah, I ate and drank in forgetfulness when I was fasting. He said: Allah had fed you and given you drink.

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 2398 | Book: Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam)

Legal Ruling (Hukm)

The consensus of scholars is that eating or drinking out of forgetfulness during fasting does not invalidate the fast. The fasting person remains in a state of valid fasting and is not required to make up that day.

This ruling applies to all obligatory acts of fasting - intentional consumption breaks the fast, while forgetful consumption is divinely excused.

Divine Wisdom & Mercy

Allah's mercy is manifest in this ruling, as He does not hold accountable what occurs unintentionally. The Prophet's response indicates that Allah Himself provided this nourishment, showing that forgetfulness is a human condition embraced by divine compassion.

This demonstrates the fundamental Islamic principle that actions are judged by intentions, and accidental acts do not carry spiritual or legal consequences.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam Nawawi states: "The forgetful person is excused in all obligations, whether related to worship or transactions. This hadith establishes that forgetfulness in fasting does not nullify it."

Ibn Qudamah explains: "When one remembers they are fasting, they must immediately cease eating or drinking. The continuation of the fast remains valid from that moment forward."

This ruling extends to all invalidators of fasting done in forgetfulness, including sexual intercourse, as established in other authentic narrations.