This chapter addresses a few practical situations that arise while fasting, offering ease and clarity. It shows that Islam's guidance on fasting is mindful of human forgetfulness and daily life.
The hadith here treat matters such as eating or drinking by mistake, care with water during ablution, and beginning the fast even after needing to purify oneself. The common thread is gentleness: the fast is not broken by genuine accident, and ordinary human circumstances are accommodated.
Hadith 1242
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذا نسي أحدكم فأكل أو شرب فليتم صومه فإنما أطعمه الله وسقاه" ((متفق عليه))
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If any one of you forgetfully eats or drinks (while observing fasting) he should complete his Saum (fasting), for Allah has fed him and given him to drink." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
If someone eats or drinks by genuine forgetfulness while fasting, the fast still counts, for it was Allah who fed them. A mark of mercy and ease.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1242 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 252
Hadith 1243
Laqit bin Sabirah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن لقيط بن صبرة رضي الله عنه قال قلت يا رسول الله أخبرني عن الوضوء؟ قال" "أسبغ الوضوء، وخلل بين الأصابع، وبالغ في الاستنشاق، إلا أن تكون صائمًا" ((رواه أبوداود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
I requested the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to talk to me about ablution. He said, "Perform the Wudu' well (by washing those parts of the body, such as the face, hands and feet beyond what is required, like washing the hands up to the upper-arm instead of the elbow). Cleanse the base of your fingers and sniff water deep into the nose except when you are observing fast." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
Guidance on doing ablution well, including drawing water into the nose, while taking care not to do this strongly when fasting. Thoroughness balanced with care.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1243 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 253
Hadith 1244
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يدركه الفجر وهو جنب من أهله ثم يغتسل ويصوم ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would wake up at Fajr time in a state of Janabah; so he would take bath before dawn and observe fasting. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet would bathe to remove major impurity after dawn had come and still fast that day, showing that this circumstance does not prevent fasting.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1244 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 254
Hadith 1245
'Aishah, and Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن عائشة وأم سلمة رضي الله عنهما قالتا: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصبح جنبًا من غير حلم ثم يصوم. ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would wake during Ramadan (fasting) in a state of major impurity without a wet dream, but on account of sexual intercourse and he would take a bath before dawn. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
During Ramadan the Prophet would wash to purify himself before dawn and proceed to fast, confirming that the fast remains valid.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1245 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 255