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 by Mistake during 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.

Your 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

Eating or drinking forgetfully does not by itself invalidate or break one’s fast, regardless of whether it is from amongst the obligatory fasts of Ramadan or a voluntary fast at any other time of the year.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.51 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intention and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

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 forgets and unintentionally eats and drinks something during the obligatory fasts of Ramadan, it is recommended and encouraged that the believer continue and complete their fast until sunset; for such a fast would be valid in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Your Question: i mean is it different between ramadan and any other month if i forgot and ate before sunset ? 

Because the voluntary fasts are not obligatory like the fasts of Ramadan, if one forgetfully eats and drinks during their voluntary fasts, they have the option to either complete their fast or break it and do other voluntary fasts at any other time of the year. If one breaks or leaves the voluntary fasts there is absolutely no sin upon them.

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