522. Can I Drink Water Standing Up?

 By Asma bint Shameem 

Although it’s *better* and more *recommended* to drink water while sitting, it is also ‘permissible’ to drink it while standing. 

*PROOF*:

Ibn Mas’ood radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I brought water to the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

from Zamzam and he drank whilst standing.”

(Al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

*Argument #1*:

BUT wasn’t that ONLY for drinking Zam Zam?

That’s not the correct understanding of the hadeeth. 

In order for us to understand ANY matter fully, we have to look at ALL the authentic evidences related to the subject. 

Let’s see what the Sahaabah said.

Ali radhi Allaahu anhu drank while standing then he said: 

*“Some people say it is makrooh for one of you to drink whilst standing, but I saw the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam doing what you have seen me do.”* 

(al-Bukhaari)

Ibn ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

*“We used to eat at the time of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam whilst walking, and we used to drink whilst standing.”* 

(at-Tirmidhi-saheeh by al-Albaani)

*Argument #2*:

BUT didn’t the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam forbid drinking while standing?

It’s true that there are authentic ahaadeeth, that forbid drinking while standing. 

For example:

Anas and Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radhi Allaahu anhumaa reported that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam forbade drinking whilst standing.” (Muslim)

But there are also equally authentic ahaadeeth that say that he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam also drank while standing, (quoted above)

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam actually did that to show that although it’s BETTER to drink sitting down, it is ALSO PERMISSIBLE to drink standing up if such a situation arises. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:

“The basic ruling is that one should drink whilst *SITTING*, and this is *preferable*, but one may drink whilst standing. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did BOTH to demonstrate that there is a lot of room for maneuver in this matter.” 

[Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (22/133)]

So it’s *RECOMMENDED* to sit down and drink but IF there’s a situation where you may need to drink while standing, that’s ALSO okay. 

And Allaah knows best.