Fasting is a significant spiritual practice observed by millions around the world, particularly during Ramadan. However, questions often arise regarding what breaks a fast and what does not. This guide provides a comprehensive, easy-to-understand breakdown based on scholarly consensus and modern-day opinions.
What Breaks the Fast?
1. Consuming Food or Drink
- Any form of nutrition that reaches the stomach through the mouth or nose breaks the fast.
- This is a unanimously agreed-upon rule in Islamic jurisprudence.
- If something is swallowed deliberately, the fast is invalidated.
2. Intravenous Nutrition and Hydration
- Any substance that nourishes the body through veins, such as IV drips containing vitamins and minerals, breaks the fast.
- Medications and vaccines that do not provide nutrition do not break the fast.
3. Deliberate Vomiting
- If a person induces vomiting intentionally, it breaks the fast.
- If vomiting is involuntary, the fast remains valid.
4. Smoking and Nicotine Patches
- Smoking cigarettes, vaping, or using shisha breaks the fast.
- Nicotine patches, however, do not break the fast as they are absorbed through the skin without reaching the digestive system.
5. Sexual Intercourse
- Engaging in sexual relations during fasting hours is a major sin and requires atonement (kaffarah), which includes fasting 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 people.
- If a person is coerced, they do not need to perform kaffarah.
6. Deliberate Ejaculation
- Any action leading to ejaculation through self-stimulation, touching, or imagery breaks the fast.
- If ejaculation occurs involuntarily (e.g., wet dreams), it does not break the fast.
7. Hijama (Cupping) and Excessive Blood Loss
- Hijama (blood cupping) or donating large amounts of blood can weaken the body significantly and may break the fast.
- Minor blood loss, such as a small cut or a blood test, does not invalidate fasting.
What Does NOT Break the Fast?
1. Eye Drops, Ear Drops, and Nose Drops
- There are differing opinions, but the majority consensus is that they do not break the fast unless they reach the stomach.
- If an excessive amount of nasal drops are used and swallowed, it may invalidate the fast.
2. Insulin and Non-Nutritive Injections
- Insulin injections, vaccinations, and other non-nutritive medical injections do not break the fast.
3. Brushing Teeth and Using Mouthwash
- Using toothpaste or mouthwash does not break the fast if nothing is swallowed.
- It is best to use minimal amounts to avoid accidental ingestion.
4. Swimming and Taking a Shower
- Being immersed in water does not break the fast.
- However, swallowing water accidentally while swimming may break it.
5. Accidental Swallowing of Water During Wudu (Ablution)
- If water is swallowed unintentionally, the fast remains valid.
- If excessive gargling is done deliberately, leading to ingestion, it breaks the fast.
6. Swallowing Saliva and Mucus
- Swallowing one’s saliva or mucus does not break the fast.
- If mucus is expelled from the nose or mouth and then re-swallowed, the fast may be broken.
7. Wet Dreams (Nocturnal Emissions)
- Having a wet dream does not break the fast since it is involuntary.
- A person must perform ghusl (ritual purification) before resuming worship activities.
8. Using an Inhaler for Asthma
- Majority opinion states that inhalers do not break the fast.
- Some scholars argue that if an excessive amount reaches the throat, the fast should be made up.
9. Perfumes, Lip Balm, and Makeup
- Wearing makeup, using perfumes, or applying lip balm does not break the fast unless ingested.
10. Blood Tests and Anesthetic Injections
- Local anesthetic injections (such as at the dentist) and blood tests do not break the fast.
Comparison Table: What Breaks the Fast vs. What Does Not?
| Action | Breaks the Fast? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eating or drinking | âś… Yes | Any form of nutrition reaching the stomach |
| IV drips (nutritious) | âś… Yes | If used for hydration or nutrition |
| Vaccinations | ❌ No | Does not provide nutrition |
| Smoking/Vaping | âś… Yes | Inhalation of substances reaching the throat |
| Nicotine patches | ❌ No | Absorbed through the skin |
| Eye/Ear/Nose drops | ❌ No (unless swallowed) | Controversial but generally permissible |
| Brushing teeth | ❌ No | If no toothpaste is swallowed |
| Accidental swallowing of water | ❌ No | Mistaken ingestion is excused |
| Sexual intercourse | âś… Yes | Requires atonement (kaffarah) |
| Wet dreams | ❌ No | Involuntary action |
| Cupping (Hijama) | âś… Yes (if excessive) | If it weakens the body significantly |
| Using an inhaler | ❌ No | Generally allowed |
| Perfume and makeup | ❌ No | Does not enter the digestive system |
| Local anesthetic | ❌ No | Does not reach the stomach |
| Blood tests | ❌ No | Small amounts of blood do not break the fast |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use mouthwash while fasting?
Yes, as long as you do not swallow any liquid. However, it is better to avoid it to prevent accidental ingestion.
2. Does swallowing my saliva break my fast?
No, swallowing your saliva does not break your fast. However, if you spit out mucus and then swallow it back, it does break the fast.
3. Can I take insulin injections while fasting?
Yes, insulin injections do not break the fast as they do not provide nutrition.
4. Does using an asthma inhaler break my fast?
No, according to the majority opinion, asthma inhalers do not break the fast because the amount of substance inhaled is minimal.
5. What happens if I eat or drink by mistake?
If you eat or drink unintentionally, your fast remains valid. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully, then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk has been given to him by Allah.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Final Thoughts
Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink—it is a spiritual exercise in self-discipline. While there are clear guidelines on what breaks a fast, it is essential to seek knowledge and follow a trusted school of thought or local scholars.
If you are unsure about any specific issue, consult a knowledgeable scholar or refer to authoritative sources.
May your fasting be accepted and bring you spiritual growth!
