A man habitually goes swimming during the daytime for exercise. Does swimming during Ramadan affect the validity of his fast?

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam, an act of worship to the Lord of the worlds, and an emulation of the noble angels who are nearest to Allah Almighty; He says, “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety” (Quran, 2:183). Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said, “Allah says, ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward for it”
(recorded by Bukhari).[1]

 

The meaning and nature of fasting

Fasting means refraining from eating and drinking, sexual activity, and anything associated with them, by a person who is legally accountable under Islamic law.[2] The fasting period extends from dawn until sunset.

Water as a nullifier of fasting

Water only renders the fast invalid when it reaches an internal body cavity and stomach. Its presence outside the body or in the mouth, without being swallowed, does not invalidate the fast, according to scholarly consensus. The determining factor is whether a nullifying substance enters an internal body cavity. This is stated in:

• Al-Mabsuṭ by Imam al-Sarakhsi.
• Al-Sharh al-Saghir by Imam al-Dardir.
• Al-Majmu‘ by Imam al-Nawawi.
• Al-Mughni by Imam Ibn Qudamah.

 

Swimming while fasting

Reports from some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) describe the practice of a fasting person entering water, submerging his entire body, or remaining in the water for a while to cool down. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I have a basin in which I immerse myself while I am fasting” (recorded by Bukhari in his Sahih as a suspended narration).

Remaining in water or immersing the body in it does not necessarily entail water entering an internal body cavity, provided that a person refrains from swallowing it and is able to spit it out any water that accidentally enters his mouth before it reaches an internal body cavity. In such a case, his fast remains valid. However, if a fasting person knows from experience that water usually reaches an internal cavity while swimming and that he cannot prevent it, his fast is invalidated if he swims and water enters his body. Furthermore, it is impermissible for him to swim while fasting until he can prevent water from entering his throat.[3]

Scholars hold different opinions regarding the fast of a person who takes precautions to avoid swallowing water but inadvertently allows it to enter an internal body cavity. The majority of scholars from the Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafiʿi schools of jurisprudence, as well as one opinion among the Hanbalis, hold that his fast is invalidated and that he must make it up because the water entered as a result to his action while he knew that he was fasting.[4] Conversely, another view in the Hanbali school holds that water entering his body under the circumstances described above does not invalidate his fast due to the absence of intent. This is the view adopted for fatwa.[5] However, it is recommended that he make up that day’s fast whenever he is able to do so in order to avoid scholarly disagreement with those scholars who deem the fast invalid, as it is recommended to avoid scholarly disagreement.[6] An act of worship that is considered valid by scholarly consensus is better than one considered valid to some and not by others.

 

The ruling

Swimming while fasting does not affect the validity of a person’s fast, provided that the water does not reach an internal body cavity, whether intentionally or through carelessness, such as when a person knows from experience that he is unable to prevent water from reaching his throat, yet still chooses to swim. However, if some water unintentionally enters his throat after he has taken all necessary precautions to prevent it from doing so while swimming, this does not invalidate his fast. Nevertheless, if he is able to make up the fast as a precaution and in consideration of the scholarly disagreement, it is recommended that he do so.

And Allah Almighty knows best.