Can we drink water while standing? – Hadith

Whenever we drink water while standing, people tell us that it is forbidden in Islam to drink water in this way. On the other hand, we find many hadiths to support the fact that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ drank water while standing. What should we do?

• 7 Sunnah of drinking water in Islam

Drinking Water while Standing is Forbidden

There are many Hadiths to support the claim that one should not drink water while standing. We have reproduced 3 hadith below.

1- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ disapproved the drinking of water while standing – Sahih Muslim 2024 a

2- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: None of you should drink while standing, and if anyone forgets, he must vomit. – Sahih Muslim 2026

3- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned against drinking while standing – Sahih Muslim 2025 a

Prophet Muhammad drank water while Standing

On the other hand, you can also find Hadiths stating that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself drank water while standing. 

1- Ali Ibn Talib رضي الله عنه said: Some people dislike to drink while standing, but I saw Prophet Muhammad ﷺ drinking water (while standing) as you have seen me doing now.” – Sahih al-Bukhari 5615

2- Hussain Ibn Ali رضي الله عنه said: I passed the vessel containing water to my father Ali Ibn Talib رضي الله عنه and he drank from it standing up. I was surprised.

Upon which Ali Ibn Talib رضي الله عنه said: Do not be surprised, for I saw Prophet Muhammad ﷺ doing this (referring to his Wudu’ and drinking the leftover water while standing). –  Sunan an-Nasa’i 95

3- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  drank ZamZam water while standing – Sahih Muslim 2027d

• How to drink ZamZam Water? – 6 etiquettes

Conclusion

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has advised people to drink while sitting so it is better to drink water while sitting. However, if someone drinks water while standing, it is not Haram to do it as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself did it many times.