The holy month of Ramadan is a spiritually significant time of the Islamic calendar. It’s a time for increasing acts of worship for Muslims to devote themselves to Allah (SWT) and earn powerful rewards. The month focuses on fasting, which is a sacred act of worship and is one of the five pillars, to help purify the hearts and souls of believers and create a fresh start with their faith. Carrying out fasting throughout the holy month requires Muslims to refrain from eating between the hours from sunrise and sunset. Due to this, the month has set rules that must be followed to observe it correctly and earn the rewards that the month gives.
These rules can be confusing for many and can be hard to follow, which affects whether a believer can observe the month properly. A particular part of the rules that can be confusing for many is the Ramadan rules on water consumption. Water is a vital source of hydration and is needed throughout the day to prevent dehydration, especially during hotter months and scorching temperatures. This is why many wonder if they can drink water during Ramadan to replenish their thirst and cope with the conditions. We have created this guide to help you further understand the Ramadan water rules to ensure you abide by them and fulfil the holy month correctly.
Fasting is a huge part of Ramadan due to the rich history that started the act of fasting as a core value of the holy month. One of the main reasons that fasting is observed in the holy month is that it frees up time every day for Muslims to focus on their faith. By refraining from eating in the daylight hours, believers can focus on reciting the Quran, praying and other acts of worship to strengthen their relationship with Allah (SWT).
The holy month and fasting began in 610 AD, as this is when Islam began. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was visited by the angel Jibril as he meditated in the cave of Hira, and the first verses of the Quran were revealed to him. The Prophet (PBUH) was told that Allah (SWT) is the one and only God, and so the faith of Islam and its core values began.
From this day, which occurred in the month of Ramadan during the last 10 days, Muhammad (PBUH) continued to receive teachings from Allah (SWT) over 23 years. These teachings were then passed on to the community (ummah) for them to follow the faith. One of the most important teachings that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was told was the Five Pillars of Islam, one of which was Sawm (fasting). The other pillars are Shahada (profession of faith), Salat (praying), Zakat (charity) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). The pillars are the core values of Islam and are what helped to shape each month of the Islamic year, including Ramadan – which is why Muslims fast for this month.
Basically, fasting occurs in this month because it’s one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a core value and act of worship to strengthen the bond with Allah (SWT) and please Him. As well as this, fulfilling these pillars in the year and throughout a lifetime can bring immense rewards to believers.
The rules for fasting in Ramadan state that between the hours of sunrise and sunset, Muslims must refrain from eating and drinking, as well as from any prohibited actions. Only before the sun rises and after the sun sets can believers enjoy sustenance during the holy month. This is done through the Suhoor and Iftar meals. Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal that gives Muslims the energy they need to face the day ahead, helping them to refrain from food and drink throughout the day. The Iftar meal is the one after sunset and is a time to break the fast with loved ones and the community. Both meals are equally important to nourish the body and mind, allowing Muslims to go through the daylight hours without eating or drinking easily.
Due to the fasting rules stating there should be no eating or drinking during daylight hours, it means that water is also something that should be refrained from. This means that the Ramadan drinking water rules are that no water should be consumed in the hours between sunrise and sunset. Even though water is vital for life to quench thirst and prevent dehydration, abstaining from water is a deliberate act for the month that isn’t taken lightly. The reason why water is also abstained from is to remind Muslims with wealth of their dependence on the blessings that they receive from Allah (SWT), which can easily be taken for granted because He gives the blessings and He can take them away. It also reminds Muslims to be grateful for what they have and understand what others around the world in poverty go through every single day.
Although abstinence from water is required during daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadan, water is permitted outside of these hours (during Suhoor and Iftar). In fact, water at these times is vital for Muslims to consume before they begin fasting for the day and afterwards. Believers must consume plenty of water as soon as the sun sets at Iftar and before the sun rises at Suhoor to ensure that they are hydrated properly throughout the night and the fasting day. Doing this makes the fast easier to stick to throughout the fasting hours and can help believers carry out their daily activities better.
There are exceptions to the Ramadan fasting rules for water that allow a Muslim who fits into the exceptions to break the fast and have water. This is usually for believers who fear for their health or who think that abstaining from water will cause them a lot of harm. The categories of people who can break the fast to drink water, or even eat, are those who are ill, facing hardship, are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating, travellers, children (who don’t need to fast), the elderly, those with medical conditions or facing extreme thirst.
These exceptions are set in place in Islamic regulations to show that life and health are the most important things. If a Muslim needs to drink water during fasting hours at any point in the holy month, then usually the missed fasts are made up later on in the year. However, some Muslims cannot make up the fast, so the Fidya donation is set for them to still fulfil their duty and earn immense rewards. Fidya is a charitable donation for each day of missed fasts to help those in desperate need with the basic necessities they need to survive.
So, in the Ramadan rules, can you drink water? No, water shouldn’t be consumed during daylight hours because it breaks the fast and, therefore, doesn’t fulfil the religious obligation. Only those who have a valid reason can break the fast to drink water if they feel like it's needed for their health to prevent harm. However, after these fasting hours, water should be consumed to maintain health and make the fast easier for Muslims. This means that every fasting Muslim must plan to consume enough water at Suhoor and Iftar to sustain energy and prevent thirst and dehydration.
Abstaining from water during the month can be a huge challenge, but there is a way to make the Ramadan water rules easier to stick to. The key to making this easier is to prepare for the holy month before it begins, so that your body and mind are both ready to abstain from water and food. This takes time and a gradual approach to be fully prepared for the emotional, physical and mental toll fasting can bring. There are multiple ways to get ready for the holy month by undergoing mental and spiritual preparation and physical preparation.
Now that you know more about the Ramadan rules for water, you can properly observe the holy month and earn immense rewards for your devotion. It’s important to remember that if you need to break the fast to drink water, this is permissible for those who fit into the exemption categories. Follow our tips to prepare for the holy month and ensure that you meet your obligations and get the most out of Ramadan, so you can come out of the month spiritually renewed.
Ramadan is a month of giving to help those less fortunate who go without water or food daily. At UKIM, we help those facing hardship in Gaza and other conflict areas with the basic necessities they need to survive. Your generosity during the month can help save countless lives and bring hope for a brighter future. Donate this Ramadan and make a meaningful difference to those facing unimaginable conflict.
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