Question
If someone is eating by mistake while fasting, should we remind them that they are fasting, or should we let them eat?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
There are two scenarios when seeing a fasting person eating forgetfully (i.e., they are not conscious of their fast):
1) The person eating forgetfully has the strength to fast until sunset, e.g., a young man. In such a case, it is necessary to remind him that he is fasting.
2) The person eating forgetfully is weak, e.g., an older man, then it would be best not to remind him.
Fatawa Hindiya: v. 1, p. 222 (DKI); Hashiya Tahtawi: p. 658 (Qadeemi Kutub Khana)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham