Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

i was fasting not during ramadan and i forgot and ate before sunset . can i continue my fasting or i have to break my fast . i mean is it different between ramadan and any other month if i forgot and ate before sunset ?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Eat forgetfully in fast

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.662 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet (saws) said, "If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink."

If one forgetfully eats or drinks during one’s obligatory fasts of Ramadan, one should continue and complete their fast until sunset; as eating or drinking something forgetfully does not invalidate or break the fast, regardless of whether one has consumed only a mouthful or one has had a stomach full!

But if one is performing a voluntary fast at any other time other than Ramadan and one happens to eat or drink forgetfully, one has the option to break their fast or continue it, if they wish to do so. Eating or drinking forgetfully does not by itself break or invalidate the fast, regardless of whether it is obligatory or voluntary; it is only the intentional eating or drinking which would invalidate and break the fast.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan