When is the best time to drink water while eating – before, after, or during a meal?

References

According to Ibn al-Qayyim, a Hanbali scholar, it is not recommended to drink water before and after meals due to perceived harms. However, this topic is still debated among medical experts.

ولم يكن من هديه أن يشرب على طعامه، فيفسده ولاسيما إذا كان الماء حارًا، أو بارداً قوله ويكره شرب الماء عقيب الرياضة والتعب وعقيب الجماع وعقيب الطعام وقبله وعقيب أكل الفاكهة وإن كان الشرب عقيب بعضها أسهل من بعض وعقيب الحمام وعند الانتباه من النوم، فهذا كله مناف لحفظ الصحة
[Zād al-Ma'ād: 4:205: Mu'assasah al-Risālah]

ان تمام چیزوں کے پیش نظر احقر اس نتیجہ پر پہونچا ہے کہ شرعی نقطۂ نظر سے کراہت اور عدم کراہت کی کوئی دلیل نہیں ہے، کھانے سے پہلے، یا کھانے کے بیچ میں، یا کھانے کے بعد کوئی پانی پی لیتا ہے، تو اس میں کسی قسم کی شرعی کراہت کا حکم نہیں لگے گا ؟ البتہ طبی نقطۂ نظر سے کھانے سے پہلے یا بعد میں پانی پینا نقصان دہ ہے؛ اس لئے طبی کراہت اس میں لازم آتی ہے، اور کھانے کے بیچ میں چونکہ طبی کراہت نہیں ہے؛ اس لئے بیچ میں پینے میں نہ شرعی کراہت ہے ، نہ طبی کراہت ہے
[Fatāwā Qāsmiyah: 24:44: Maktabah Ashrafiyyah]

It is essential to note that this topic is still a matter of debate in the scientific and medical community. Different individuals may have different responses to drinking water around mealtime, and more research is needed to establish concrete guidelines. However, we have referenced some websites and research that suggest potential effects of drinking water too soon before and after meals.

https://www.healthxchange.sg/food-nutrition/food-tips/drinking-water-right-time#:~:text=2)%20Before%20a%20meal,body%20to%20absorb%20the%20nutrients.

https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209729/

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