Does swallowing water accidentally during ritual ablution (Wudu) break the fast?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Fasting

Book 9 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If water accidentally reaches the throat during rinsing or sniffing (Istinshaq) for purification, without intention (Qasd) or extravagance (Israaf), the fast is not broken. This view is held by Al-Awza'i, Ishaq, and one opinion of Al-Shafi'i. This is also reported from Ibn Abbas. The basis is that the water reached the throat without extravagance or intention, resembling an unrelated event such as a fly entering the throat, thus differentiating it from intentional swallowing.

Supporting text

Malik and Abu Hanifa hold that the fast is broken because the person delivered water to the stomach while remembering their fast, which is treated as intentional drinking.