Matters that Invalidate Fast(Saum)

 

a) Whatever  intentionally enters-even a little- the coelom through an opening: nose, ear, mouth, front and back outlets.

b) Intentional vomiting.

c) Sexual intercourse.

d) Masturbating.

e) Menses and post-childbirth bleeding.

f) Insanity i.e. the fast of the person who faces insanity becomes void.

g)  Being apostate from Islam in word or in deed.

h) Being unconscious for the whole day.

 

What is the ruling on cursing Allah and being apostate from Islam in word or in deed ?

One who apostatizes while fasting, his fasting is void, and one who has cursed Allah is an apostate who should pronounce the Testimonies of Faith in order to re-enter Islam. He should also seek Allah`s forgiveness, and avoid matters that invalidate fasting for the rest of that day, but he should make up for that day after Ramadan.

 

What is the ruling on falling unconscious while fasting ?

One who falls unconscious during  the day time of a fasting day after having made the intention to fast from the night before and having woken up-even one moment- before sunset, his fasting is valid. Nonetheless, if the state of unconsciousness continued from dawn time until sunset, then his fasting isn`t accounted for, and he should make up for it after Ramadan.

 

What is the ruling on using eye drops while fasting ?

Eye drops do not break fast even if one feels their taste in the throat because

the eye isn`t an open outlet to the coelom.

 

Does using nose and ear drops invalidate fasting ?

Using ear and nose drops invalidates fasting since they are open outlets to the coelom.

 

Does  bleeding from the nose during the day time of  Ramadan render fasting  void ?

The blood coming out of the nose during the day time of a Ramadan day doesn`t invalidate fasting unless some of it reaches the coelom, or it is intentionally swallowed, then the fasting of that day is void, and the person should abstain from matters that invalidate fasting for the rest of that day out of respect for the sanctity of Ramadan, and he should make up for it after Ramadan.

 

What is the ruling on using aromatics, incense and perfumes during the day time of  Ramadan  ?

Aromatics and incense don`t render fasting void, but it is better for a Muslim not to use them in order to achieve the wisdom behind fasting i.e. getting used to challenging  whims and desires. But, if the fasting person swallows the aroma of the incense, then his/her fasting is void.

 

What is the ruling on using snuff i.e. inhaling medicines, foods etc. through the nose at day time of  Ramadan  ?

Using snuff during the day time of Ramadan  renders fasting void because it is a solution inhaled through the lungs which are part of the coelom, and whoever uses it should abstain from matters that invalidate fasting for the rest of that day and make up for it after Ramadan. If only the scent of that material reaches the coelom, then it doesn`t invalidate fasting.

 

Does using a respirator at the day time of a Ramadan day render fasting of that day void ?

Using a respirator during the day time  Ramadan  doesn`t invalidate fasting because oxygen is a mass-free gas. However, if therapeutic mass-based substances were added to the oxygen, then using it during the day time of Ramadan breaks fast of that day because it enters the coelom from a regular outlet.

Does taking out a tooth at day time of  Ramadan  invalidate fasting ?

Taking out a tooth doesn`t invalidate fasting, but if water, or blood enters the coelom, then fasting of that day is void, and the person in question should abstain from matters that invalidate fasting for the rest of that day. He should also make up for it after Ramadan. Moreover, it is desirable that he/she visits the dentist at night time, or after Ramadan.

What is the ruling on using Siwaak during the day time of  Ramadan  ?

There is no harm that a fasting Muslim uses the Siwaak before midday, but the Shafite jurists dislike using it in order to preserve the effect of fasting on a person`s  mouth since the  smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk.

Is the fasting of a person who washed his Siwaak and used it afterwards invalidated ?

A fasting person should make sure that the Siwaak is dry, but if it was slightly wet, and that no water can be squeezed out of it, then there is no harm in using it.

What is the ruling on using tooth paste during the day time of  Ramadan  ?

It is disliked to use tooth paste during the day time of  Ramadan  although it doesn`t invalidate fasting if it was made sure that none of it reached the coelom. Although using it is disliked, it is preferable for a fasting person to use it before fasting time and after breaking fast.

What should a person whose gum bleeds do ?

When a person`s gum bleeds during the day time of  Ramadan, he must spit out the blood until the saliva becomes clean i.e. until the bleeding stops. He should also  rinse his mouth afterwards. However, if some blood reached the coelom unintentionally, then nothing is incumbent on him.

What is the ruling on using an inhaler ?

Taking inhalations through the nose, or the mouth invalidates fasting because the medication they contain is meant to reach the lungs which are part of the coelom. Therefore, one who uses it on certain days should continue doing so, but he has to avoid matters that invalidate fasting  during these days, and should make up for the missed fast after Ramadan. However, one who uses it on regular basis should keep using it, and feed one needy Muslim for each missed day.

What is the ruling on taking a pill under the tongue during fast ?

Taking  a pill in such a manner doesn`t invalidate fasting because it doesn`t reach the coelom from an open outlet. However, if it melts and some of it is swallowed, then the fasting of that day is void.

If a person was making ablution and some water reached his coelom while rinsing out his mouth, is his fasting considered invalid ?

If the rinsing water reached the coelom without overdoing it on the part of the fasting person, then his fasting is valid. But, if he had overdone the rinsing of his mouth, and some water  reached his coelom as a result, then his fasting is invalidated. This is because overdoing something is disliked in Islamic law for the Prophet(PBUH) said: “Overdo the rinsing of the mouth as long as you are not fasting”{Narrated by the Four Sunnan}. Overdoing the rinsing of the mouth here means to do it more than three times; whereas, the exaggeration is that which is done through gargling, or pulling the water up the nostrils.

Is a person`s fast invalidated if a fly, or some dust, or the dust of sifted wheat  reached his coelom ?

When a fly, or some dust, or the dust of sifted wheat gets into a person`s coelom unwillingly, his fasting is valid.

What is the ruling on tasting food during fast?

Tasting food while fasting is disliked, and if any of it reaches the coelom, then the fasting of that person is void.

What is the ruling on using patches in order not to feel hungry, or like smoking during fast?

Fasting is a great act of worship and a major pillar of Islam. If the Muslim Ummah( nation) realizes the reward of  this month, it will hope that the whole year is a Ramadan. Actually, having Sahoor( pre-dawn meal ), and breaking fast according to the Prophet`s Sunnah eases  a fasting person`s hardship during the day time of Ramadan. Therefore, there is no need for using such patches although they don`t render fasting void as they aren`t nourishing and don`t access the coelom from an open outlet.

Does “smoking” invalidate fasting ?

Smoking invalidates fasting as smoke particles enter the lungs which are part of the coelom.

What is the ruling on going swimming during fast ?

It is disliked for a fasting person to go swimming since water could enter his coelom through the nose, the ears, or the mouth, and then his fasting is invalidated.

What is the ruling on swallowing saliva during fast ?

It is permissible for a fasting person to swallow his saliva as it is hard for him not to do so, and as Islam is based on comfort and ease as far as acts of worship are concerned. We pray that Allah relieves us from hardship and embarrassment.

Is the fasting of a person who accumulates his saliva and swallows it invalidated ?

The fasting of a person who accumulates his saliva and swallows it isn`t invalidated.

Is the fasting of a person who uses the gargling solution invalidated ?

If it enters his coelom, his fasting is invalidated, but if it doesn`t, then it isn`t. Therefore, he should  avoid using it during the day time of  Ramadan.

What is the ruling on swallowing sputum during fast ?

If he deliberately swallowed the sputum, then his fast is invalidated because he could have avoided it, but if it wasn`t deliberate , then his fast is valid. Moreover, sputum is filth that should be disposed of.

Does vomiting  invalidate fasting ?

Intentional vomiting invalidates fasting; whereas unintentional vomiting doesn`t  provided that none of the vomit goes back to the coelom, but if it did, then fasting of that day is invalid for the Prophet(PBUH) said: “"If a person is forced to vomit he does not have to make it up but if he vomits intentionally, he has to make up that day." [At-Tirmithi].

What is the ruling on vomiting as a kind of treatment based on doctor`s orders, is it permissible to do so and is the fast considered broken ?

One who needed to vomit and did so isn`t considered sinful, but his fast is invalidated. However, he should observe fasting for the rest of that day if he could, but he is obliged to make up for it after Ramadan.

 

Does belching invalidate fast ?

 

Belching doesn`t invalidate fast, but if any of it came out of the coelom, then he should spit it out and rinse his mouth with water. However, if any of it went back to the coelom while being able to spit it out, or the saliva was swallowed before rinsing the mouth, the fast is void.

 

Does having an endoscopic operation invalidate fast ?

 

 Undergoing an endoscopic operation-whether through the mouth, the nose, or the front and back outlets- annuls fast, and one who undergoes such a procedure should abstain from matters that invalidate fast for the rest of that day, and should make up for it after Ramadan.

Does undergoing an internal examination invalidate a woman`s fast ?

Undergoing an internal examination renders a woman`s fast void since it involves driving  an object into the coelom during fast as mentioned in the books of  Fiqh(jurisprudence). Moreover, the woman in question should abstain from all matters that invalidate fast for the rest of that day out of respect for the sacred month, and make up for it after Ramadan. She should also avoid undergoing such a procedure whether during Ramadan or else except for a sound reason because it isn`t permissible to look at a woman`s Awrah(private parts) except when necessary, and when that is the case, then she should go to a female Muslim doctor, but if there wasn`t, then she should go to a female doctor from the People of the Book, but if that was also not possible, then she should go to a male trustworthy Muslim doctor.

Does using suppositories, injections, and hemorrhoids ointments invalidate fast ?

Anus injections, or suppositories administered  through any of  the outlets invalidate fast for Ibn Abbass{May Allah be pleased with them} said: “ Fast is broken by what gets in not what gets out”{Narrated by Al-Baihaqi in ”Ass`sunan Al-kobrah.”However, such medications should be used either before dawn, or after Magrib time(breaking fast). But, if one needed to use them during the day time of a Ramadan day,then he may do so, and abstain from matters that invalidate fast for the rest of that day.

What is the ruling on intramuscular injections, and do they render fasting invalid ?

 Intravenous and intramuscular injections taken for the purpose of treatment  do not invalidate fasting because they don`t enter the coelom from an open outlet. However, venous injections taken for the purpose of nutrition render fasting invalid because they are  like eating and drinking.

What is the ruling on insulin injections during fast ?

Insulin injections don`t annul fast because they are subcutaneous and don`t reach the coelom.

What is the ruling on applying cream on face, hands..etc. during fast ?

Applying a  moisturizing cream during the day time of Ramadan doesn`t annul fast because it doesn`t get into the coelom, and whatever reaches under the skin does so from a non-open outlet which is the porosity.

What is the ruling on wearing perfume during fast ?

Wearing perfume by a fasting person doesn`t annul his fast, but not wearing it is better.

What is the ruling on donating blood during fast ?

Donating blood doesn`t annul fast because it has the same rule of Hijama(cupping) which the Prophet(PBUH) underwent while fasting. Blood donation is about drawing blood out of one`s body not the other way around, so what gets out doesn`t render fast invalid for Ibn Abbass (May Allah be pleased with them) said: “Fast gets broken by what gets into one`s body not what gets out of it.” However, it is disliked to donate blood during fast except for a sound reason since it may undermine the fasting person`s endurance and cause him to break fast.

Does sustaining  cuts and bleeding annul fasting ?

If these cuts lead to the entering of blood, or an object into the coelom, then the fast is void. As for cuts and external bleeding, they don`t annul fasting as nothing gets into the coelom.

What is the ruling on undergoing  dialysis during fast ?

Dialysis breaks fast since the fluid used in this procedure is nutritious  as said by doctors, and it leads to the entering of substances into the coelom. Therefore, one who undergoes such a procedure should abstain from all matters that break fast for the rest of that day if he could, and make up for it after Ramadan. We pray to Allah that he/she recovers soon.

Does undergoing surgery while being anesthetized annul fast ?

The anesthetic itself doesn`t break fast because its gases are mass-free, and the same applies to subcutaneous anesthetic injections. This is provided that the person undergoing such a procedure doesn`t remain anesthetized throughout the day. If he woke up at the beginning of day time, then his fast is valid, and the same rule applies if he woke up after the surgery and even one moment before the call for Maghrib prayer(Time of breaking fast). However, surgeries usually involve the entering of objects, or instruments into the coelom, and so the fasting is rendered void, and the person in question should make up for the missed fasting after Ramadn.

What is the ruling on undergoing an x-ray during fast ?

X-raying itself doesn`t annul fast, but if a medication, or a substance was taken from an outlet that is open to the coelom such as the anus and the mouth in order to reveal the x-ray, then the fast is broken.