Is it forbidden in Islam to drink water while standing?

Whenever we drink water while standing, people tell us that it is forbidden in Islam to drink water while standing. On the other hand, we find many hadiths to support the fact that Prophet Muhammad S.A.W drank water while standing. What should we do? We have covered the topic in detail.

• 7 Sunnah of drinking water in Islam

Drinking Water while Standing is Forbidden in Islam: There are many Hadiths to support the claim that one should not drink water while standing. We have reproduced 3 of them for your reference.

Hazrat Anas R.A reported Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) disapproved the drinking of water while standing. Sahih Muslim 2024 a

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: None of you should drink while standing; and if anyone forgets, he must vomit. – Sahih Muslim 2026

Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) warned against drinking while standing – Sahih Muslim 2025 a

Prophet Muhammad drank water while Standing: You can also find Hadiths stating that Prophet PBUH himself drank water while standing.  Jotted down below are some Hadiths which support the finding that Prophet PBUH drank whilst standing:

Narrated An-Nazzal: Ali came to the gate of the courtyard (of the Mosque) and drank (water) while he was standing and said, “Some people dislike to drink while standing, but I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) doing (drinking water) as you have seen me doing now.” – Sahih al-Bukhari 5615

Al-Husain bin ‘Ali said: ” I passed the vessel containing the remaining water for his Wudu’ to him, and he drank from it standing up. I was surprised and when he noticed that he said: ‘Do not be surprised, for I saw your father the Prophet doing,’ referring to his Wudu’ and drinking the leftover water while standing.” – Sunan an-Nasa’i Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 95

Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I served Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) Zamzam water to drink and he drank it while he was standing. – [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

What to do in this situation? So most Muslims are confused; on one hand the Prophet PBUH has forbidden from drinking while standing and on the other hand, there are some authentic Hadiths claiming that Prophet PBUH himself drank water whilst standing. 

But people need to understand a simple thing here rather than being confused. See, Prophet PBUH has advised the people to drink while sitting. This certainly means that it is not Haram to drink water while standing (as Prophet PBUH himself drank while standing) yet it is better to drink water while sitting as Prophet has advised you to do so.               

So the conclusion to be drawn is that it is disliked by The Prophet PBUH to drink water while standing. However, as Prophet has been witnessed drinking water while standing, it clearly means that it is not Haram to drink water whilst standing.

We should not be too quick in making perception about others if we see them drinking water while standing. It is not one of the sins categorized as a Major Sin in Islam.

One should avoid it and persuade others to follow the practice but not impose it upon others.