Water Entering The Throat While Fasting

QUESTION:

A person was brushing their teeth after Suhoor and choked while rinsing his mouth. Upon checking the time, Fajr time had set in a minute earlier. He is certain that no water was swallowed but uncertain if any drops went down the throat. What is the status of his fast?

ANSWER:

If the time of Fajr had set in and you are sure that even a few drops of water went down the throat, then you will have to keep a Qadha. If you do not have any certainty, then the fast is valid and there is no need to keep Qadha.

وإن أفطر خطأ كأن تمضمض فسبقه الماء أو شرب نائما أو تسحر أو جامع على ظن عدم الفجر … قضى في الصور كلها فقط (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 2/401)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 27 Ramadhaan 1447 / 17 March 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb