Is Water Fasting Permissible?

Question

Water fasting consists of only drinking water and eating no food for several days. Is that considered perpetual “wisal”, or is it lawful?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

It is unlawful not to eat or drink anything (wisal) between fasting days, though it is not unlawful if one has some water, even a mouthful, before dawn (at suhur). [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘]

Wisal Fasting

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast continually, and Allah gave him the strength to do that, but he forbade his umma to do that out of compassion and mercy towards them.

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Do not fast continually.”

They said, “But you fast continually.” He said, “I am not like you. I spend my time with my Lord, and He gives me food and drink.”

They did not stop fasting, and the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) fasted continually with them for two or three days. Then they saw the new moon, and the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “If the new moon had come later, I would have continued my fast” – as if to prove to them that they were not like him and could not continue fasting. [Bukhari; Muslim]

Multiple Intentions for Fasting

In a worldly sense, there are many ways to practice fasting and a plethora of benefits for which to do so. Fasting, in Islam, is first and foremost an act of worship (‘ibada). While there is nothing wrong with also wanting the other possible benefits of fasting, your intentions for worship must be focused on Allah since this is the essence of Ikhlas (sincerity), and Allah knows best.

Keeping your fasts for health reasons (such as water or intermittent fasting) separate from your worship fasts is best. The reason that this is better is that:

• You won’t run the risk of weakening your intentions for worship; and
• You won’t risk becoming too weak for your other religious and worldly responsibilities, but combining them remains permissible, and Allah knows best.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.