Sheikh Awaida Othman, Director of the Fatwa Department, responded with: Fatwa House The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to legal questions related to the ruling on eating or drinking in forgetfulness during voluntary fasting, coinciding with the start of fasting the white days of the month of Shawwal tomorrow, Wednesday, corresponding to April 1, 2026 AD, corresponding to the 13th of Shawwal, 1447 AH.
Othman confirmed in a live broadcast on the official page of the Fatwa House on Facebook that there is no difference between obligatory fasting and voluntary fasting in case of forgetfulness, explaining that whoever eats or drinks forgetting to fast on the white days or any other voluntary fast, his fast is valid and acceptable and he must complete his day until the end without the need to repeat the day or pay expiation.
The Director of the Fatwa Department based his legal basis on the saying of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, whoever eats or drinks forgetfully, let him complete his fast, for God has fed him and given him drink, indicating that forgetfulness is a legitimate excuse that has nothing to do with the will of the Muslim and does not invalidate worship, whether it is obligatory in Ramadan or voluntary in other months.
In a related context, Sheikh Awaidah Othman addressed the issue of fasting on separate days on the white days, explaining that the purified Sunnah of the Prophet desired fasting 3 days of every Hijri month, preferably the 13th, 14th, and 15th days when the moon is full, and they are called the white days because of their great virtue in expiating sins and strengthening the religious motivation of the Muslim.
The Fatwa Secretary pointed out that the matter has great legal scope. If a Muslim is unable to fast three consecutive days in the middle of the month, he has the right to fast them separately at the beginning, middle, or end of the month, and the basis of the Sunnah will be fulfilled for him with that reward, confirming what was reported on the authority of the great companion Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, in the Prophet’s commandment to him to fast 3 days of each month without specifying specific days.
Sheikh Awaida Othman concluded his speech by calling on Muslims to seize the virtue of the white days, which begin tomorrow, Wednesday, and continue until next Friday, by fasting, repenting, and drawing closer to God with good deeds, reminding that fasting these days is a renewed faith opportunity to increase good deeds and purify the soul.
