Things that Break and unbreak the Fast -part2

If a person suffers from a nosebleed, his fast is still valid, because this is something that is beyond his control.
[ Fataawaa al‐Lajnah al‐Daa`imah, 10/264.]

If he has gum ulcers or his gums bleed after using the siwaak (tooth stick), it is not permissible for him to
swallow the blood; he must spit it out. However, if some blood enters his throat by accident and he did
not mean for that to happen, there is no need to worry. Similarly, if vomit rises in his throat and then
goes back down to his stomach without him intending for this to happen, his fast is still valid.
[ Fataawaa al‐Lajnah al‐Daa`imah, 10/254.]

With regard to mucus originating from the head (nose and sinuses) and phlegm originating from the
chest by coughing and clearing the throat, if it is swallowed before it reaches the mouth, this does not
break a person’s fast, because it is a problem which all people have; but if it is swallowed after it
reaches the mouth, this does break the fast. However, if it is swallowed unintentionally,
it does not break the fast.

Inhaling water vapor, as may happen to people working in desalination plants, does not break the fast.
[Fataawaa al‐Lajnah al‐Daa`imah, 10/276.]

It is makrooh (disliked) to taste food unnecessarily because this carries the risk that the fast may be
broken. Examples of cases where it is necessary to taste food include a mother chewing food for an
infant when she has no other way tofeed him, tasting food to make sure that it is fine, and tasting
something when making a purchase. It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said:

“There is nothing wrong with tasting vinegar or anything that one wishes to buy.”
[Classed as hasan in Irwaa´ al‐Ghaleel, 4/86; See al‐Fat’h, commentary on Baab Ightisaal al‐Saa`im, Kitaab al‐Siyaam.]

Using siwaak is Sunnah for the one who is fasting at all times of the day, even if it is fresh and moist.
If a person who is fasting uses a siwaak and detects some heat or other taste from it and swallows it,
or if he takes the siwaak out of his mouth and sees saliva on it then puts it back in his mouth and
swallows the saliva, this does not break his fast.[Al‐Fataawaa al‐Sa’diyyah, 245] He should avoid what contains substances which
can be diluted, such as the green siwaak or siwaak that has any extra flavor added to it, like lemon or
mint. He should spit out any small pieces that come off the siwaak in his mouth; he should not
swallow them deliberately, but if he swallows them accidentally, there is no harm done.

If a fasting person is injured or suffers a nosebleed, or gets water or petrol in his mouth by accident,
this does not break his fast. If he gets dust, smoke or flies in his mouth by accident, this does not
break his fast either. Things that one cannot avoid swallowing, like one’s own saliva or dust from
grinding flour, do not break the fast. If a person gathers a lot of saliva in his mouth then swallows
it on purpose, this does not break the fast according to the most correct opinion.
[Al‐Mughni by Ibn Qudaamah, 3/106]

If tears reach one’s throat, if a person applies oil to his hair or moustache or if a person uses henna
and then detects the taste of it in his throat, this does not break his fast. Using henna, kohl or oil
does not break the fast.[See Majmoo’ al‐Fataawaa, 25/233, 25/245.] This also applies to creams used to moisturize and soften the skin.

There is nothing wrong with smelling pleasant fragrances, using perfume, or applying scented creams
and the like. There is nothing wrong with a fasting person using incense as long as he does not use it
as snuff.[Fataawaa al‐Lajnah al‐Daa`imah, 10/314.]

It is better not to use toothpaste during the day, and to leave it till night‐time, because its characteristics
are too strong.[Al‐Majaalis, Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, p. 72]

To be on the safe side, it is better for the fasting person not to be treated with cupping (hijaamah).
There is a strong difference of opinion on this matter. Ibn Taymiyah suggested that the one who has
cupping done breaks his fast, but the one who does it does not break his fast.

Smoking breaks the fast, and it cannot be used as an excuse not to fast.
How can a sin be taken as an excuse?!


Immersing oneself in water or wrapping oneself in wet clothes in order to cool down does not break
the fast. There is nothing wrong with pouring water over one’s head to obtain relief from heat and
thirst. Swimming is disliked because it might make one break the fast (by swallowing water).
If a person’s work involves diving and he can be sure that he will not get water in his mouth, there is
nothing wrong with this.

If a person eats, drinks or has intercourse thinking that it is still night and then realizes that dawn
has already broken, there is no harm done, because the aayah clearly states that it is permissible to
do these things until one is sure that dawn has come. ‘Abd al‐Razzaaq reported with a saheeh isnaad
going back to Ibn ‘Abbaas that he said:

“Allaah has permitted you to eat and drink so long as there is any doubt in your mind."
[Fath al‐Baari, 4/135; this is also the opinion of Shaykh al‐Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmoo’ al‐Fataawaa, 29/263]

If a person breaks his fast thinking that the sun has already set when it has not,
he must make up the fast later on (according to the majority of scholars).
This is due to the fact that the general principle is that it is still day, and a fact that is
certain cannot be rejected in favor of something doubtful.
[Shaykh al‐Islam Ibn Taymiyah thought that it was not necessary for a person in this situation to make up the fast.]

If dawn breaks and a person still has food or drink in his mouth, the fuqahaa´ are in agreement that
he should spit it out, and his fast is valid. This is like the ruling on one who eats or drinks because he
forgets, then remembers he is fasting – if he hastens to spit out the food or drink in his mouth,
his fast is still valid.