1Deliberately Eating and Drinking

The fast becomes invalid when a person deliberately and willingly eats or drinks during the fasting period. This includes consuming food, drink, or oral medicine; smoking; and using electronic cigarettes or similar products through which a fasting person deliberately introduces their substance into the body.

Someone who deliberately breaks the fast without an excuse has committed a grave sin and must sincerely repent and make up the day according to the view adopted here. The major kaffarah is not required merely because of eating or drinking; according to the stronger view, the major kaffarah is specific to intercourse during the daytime in Ramadan.

2Substances That Take the Place of Food and Drink

Nutritional intravenous solutions and injections that take the place of food and drink, or through which a patient can dispense with ordinary nourishment, break the fast because they carry the same ruling as eating and drinking.

According to the view adopted here, kidney dialysis also breaks the fast because it normally involves removing and returning blood together with fluids and substances introduced into the body. The circumstances of kidney patients differ, so a patient should consult a trustworthy physician and scholar to determine the ability to fast and whether makeup fasts or fidyah are required.

Non-nutritional therapeutic injections do not ordinarily break the fast, as explained below.

3Intercourse During the Daytime in Ramadan

Deliberate intercourse is among the gravest invalidators. If someone upon whom fasting was obligatory deliberately and willingly has intercourse during a Ramadan day while remembering the fast, the fast becomes invalid. The person must repent, refrain from invalidators for the remainder of the day, make up that day, and perform the major kaffarah.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

"بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، هَلَكْتُ. قَالَ: مَا لَكَ؟ قَالَ: وَقَعْتُ عَلَى امْرَأَتِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: هَلْ تَجِدُ رَقَبَةً تُعْتِقُهَا؟ قَالَ: لَا. قَالَ: فَهَلْ تَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تَصُومَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ؟ قَالَ: لَا. فَقَالَ: فَهَلْ تَجِدُ إِطْعَامَ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا؟ قَالَ: لَا. قَالَ: فَمَكَثَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِعَرَقٍ فِيهِ تَمْرٌ، وَالعَرَقُ المِكْتَلُ. قَالَ: أَيْنَ السَّائِلُ؟ فَقَالَ: أَنَا. قَالَ: خُذْهَا فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهِ. فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ: أَعَلَى أَفْقَرَ مِنِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا بَيْنَ لَابَتَيْهَا، يُرِيدُ الحَرَّتَيْنِ، أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ أَفْقَرُ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي. فَضَحِكَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى بَدَتْ أَنْيَابُهُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَطْعِمْهُ أَهْلَكَ".

Meaning: "While we were sitting with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, a man came and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I am ruined.' He asked, 'What happened to you?' The man said, 'I had intercourse with my wife while I was fasting.' The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, asked, 'Can you find a slave to free?' He said, 'No.' He asked, 'Can you fast two consecutive months?' He said, 'No.' He asked, 'Can you feed sixty poor people?' He said, 'No.' The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, remained there. Then a basket of dates was brought to him. He asked, 'Where is the questioner?' The man said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Take this and give it in charity.' The man asked, 'To someone poorer than me, O Messenger of Allah? By Allah, there is no household between the two lava fields of Madinah poorer than my household.' The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, laughed until his canine teeth became visible, then said, 'Feed it to your family.'"

Agreed upon.

The kaffarah is sequential: freeing a believing slave; if unable, fasting two consecutive months; and if unable, feeding sixty poor people. Details concerning coercion, forgetfulness, and repeated intercourse require a fatwa based on the particular circumstances.

4Voluntarily Causing Ejaculation

If a fasting person voluntarily causes ejaculation while awake, such as through masturbation, physical intimacy, kissing, or repeatedly looking at arousing material until ejaculation occurs, the fast becomes invalid. The person must repent and make up the day, but the major kaffarah is not required unless intercourse occurred.

Semen emitted because of a wet dream, or because of a passing thought without physical contact or a deliberate and sustained attempt to arouse oneself, does not invalidate the fast because it occurred without the fasting person's choice.

The discharge of madhiy does not invalidate the fast according to the stronger view, but it does invalidate wudu, and whatever reaches the body or clothing must be washed. Deliberately viewing prohibited material or arousing desire is not permissible; the validity of the fast does not make a sinful act permissible.

5Deliberately Inducing Vomiting

Someone who deliberately induces vomiting invalidates the fast and must make up the day. Someone overcome by vomiting without choosing it has a valid fast.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"مَنْ ذَرَعَهُ القَيْءُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاءٌ، وَمَنِ اسْتَقَاءَ عَمْدًا فَلْيَقْضِ".

Meaning: "Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the fast, but whoever deliberately induces vomiting must make it up."

Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah, and authenticated by scholars.

If vomit reaches the mouth, it must be expelled. A fasting person should not deliberately swallow it while able to spit it out.

6The Onset of Menstruation or Postpartum Bleeding

If menstrual or postpartum blood begins during the fasting day, the woman's fast becomes invalid even if it begins only shortly before sunset. She makes up that day after becoming pure, and fasting is not valid from her during menstruation or postpartum bleeding.

Muadhah, may Allah have mercy on her, said: I asked Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, "Why does a menstruating woman make up the fast but not the prayer?" She replied:

"كَانَ يُصِيبُنَا ذَلِكَ، فَنُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّوْمِ، وَلَا نُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّلَاةِ".

Meaning: "That used to happen to us, and we were instructed to make up the fast but were not instructed to make up the prayer."

Reported by Muslim.

If the blood does not begin until after sunset, her fast is valid even if she felt menstrual symptoms before sunset. If she becomes pure before dawn and intends to fast, her fast is valid even if she performs ghusl after dawn, provided that she promptly performs ghusl in order to pray on time.

7Cupping, According to the View Adopted Here

According to the view adopted in this article, cupping invalidates the fast of both the practitioner and the person being cupped because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"أَفْطَرَ الحَاجِمُ وَالمَحْجُومُ".

Meaning: "The one who performs cupping and the one who is cupped have broken their fasts."

Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah, and authenticated by scholars.

This is the position of Imam Ahmad and was selected by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Shaykh Ibn Baz, and Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy on them. The majority of jurists held that cupping does not break the fast, citing other hadiths and reports. The matter is therefore one of recognized scholarly disagreement.

Based on the view adopted here, withdrawing a large amount of blood that weakens the body, such as donating a large quantity of blood, takes the same ruling as cupping. A small amount drawn for testing does not break the fast. Blood that exits involuntarily, such as a nosebleed, blood from a bodily wound, or blood from the teeth, also does not break the fast, although swallowing blood must be avoided.

8Firmly Terminating the Intention to Fast

Intention is a condition of fasting. According to a group of scholars, someone who firmly resolves during an obligatory fast to end it and terminates the intention has invalidated the fast even without eating or drinking, because an act of worship is not valid without intention.

A passing thought, an obsessive misgiving, or mere hesitation that does not become a firm resolve to terminate the fast does not invalidate it. The door to obsessive doubts concerning intention should not be opened; the basic principle is that the intention to fast remains.

9Apostasy from Islam, Allah's Refuge Is Sought

If someone apostatizes from Islam during the fast, the fast of that day becomes invalid because Islam is a condition for the validity of worship. Scholars have reported consensus that the fast of someone who apostatizes during it is invalid. Allah Most High says:

{وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الخَاسِرِينَ} [الزمر: 65].

Meaning: {It has certainly been revealed to you and to those before you: If you associate partners with Allah, your deeds will surely become void and you will certainly be among the losers.} [al-Zumar: 65].

Someone who falls into apostasy must repent to Allah and return to Islam. According to the stronger view, repentance from apostasy does not nullify the person's righteous deeds performed before it because Allah made the general nullification of deeds conditional upon dying in disbelief [al-Baqarah: 217]. The fast during which the apostasy occurred, however, has become invalid.

Declaring a statement or act to be major disbelief and judging a particular person to have apostatized is a grave matter with conditions and impediments. A reader should not rush into it or build such a judgment upon a general article. These cases must be referred to firmly grounded scholars and the Islamic judiciary.

1Forgetfully Eating or Drinking

Someone who eats or drinks forgetfully has a valid fast, must complete it, and owes neither a makeup fast nor kaffarah.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"مَنْ نَسِيَ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ، فَأَكَلَ أَوْ شَرِبَ، فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ، فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَسَقَاهُ".

Meaning: "Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks should complete the fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him drink."

Agreed upon.

As soon as the person remembers, whatever is in the mouth must be expelled and eating or drinking must stop immediately. Someone who sees a fasting person eating or drinking forgetfully should remind that person, because forgetfulness excuses the person eating but does not excuse someone who witnesses an act that should be stopped.

2A Wet Dream or Being in a State of Janabah at Dawn

A wet dream does not invalidate the fast because it occurs without choice. Someone who reaches dawn in a state of janabah because of intercourse during the night has a valid fast and performs ghusl in order to pray Fajr.

Aishah and Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported:

"أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يُدْرِكُهُ الفَجْرُ وَهُوَ جُنُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ وَيَصُومُ".

Meaning: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would reach dawn in a state of janabah from his wife, then perform ghusl and fast."

Agreed upon.

It is not permissible, however, to deliberately delay ghusl from janabah until the time for Fajr prayer has ended. The validity of the fast does not permit neglecting the prayer.

3Kissing and Physical Affection for Someone Who Can Control Himself or Herself

A fasting person may kiss or show physical affection to a spouse without intercourse if able to exercise self-control and confident that it will not lead to something prohibited or to ejaculation. Someone who fears being unable to control himself or herself should not expose the fast to invalidation.

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

"كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُقَبِّلُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ، وَيُبَاشِرُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ، وَلَكِنَّهُ كَانَ أَمْلَكَكُمْ لِإِرْبِهِ".

Meaning: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would kiss while fasting and show physical affection while fasting, but he had greater control over his desire than any of you."

Agreed upon.

If this results in ejaculation, the fast becomes invalid, as explained above.

4Using the Siwak and Cleaning the Teeth

Using the siwak is prescribed for a fasting person at both the beginning and end of the day, and it does not break the fast. A toothbrush and toothpaste may be used if the fasting person is confident that none will be swallowed. Caution is required because toothpaste spreads easily and has a strong taste. Someone who fears swallowing it should preferably use it at night.

A slight residue between the teeth that is difficult to avoid does not invalidate the fast. A piece of food that can be expelled, however, may not be deliberately swallowed.

5Rinsing the Mouth and Nose Without Exaggeration

A fasting person may rinse the mouth and nose during wudu but should not exaggerate when rinsing the nose, lest water reach the throat.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Laqit ibn Sabirah, may Allah be pleased with him:

"أَسْبِغِ الوُضُوءَ، وَخَلِّلْ بَيْنَ الأَصَابِعِ، وَبَالِغْ فِي الِاسْتِنْشَاقِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ صَائِمًا".

Meaning: "Perform wudu thoroughly, pass water between the fingers, and rinse the nose deeply unless you are fasting."

Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasai, and authenticated by scholars.

If water reaches the throat unintentionally during ordinary rinsing without exaggeration, the fast remains valid according to the stronger view. Deliberately swallowing water invalidates the fast.

6Bathing and Swimming with Caution

A fasting person may bathe to cool down or clean the body and may swim when reasonably confident that water can be kept from entering the body. Someone who cannot ensure that water will not enter should avoid swimming to protect the fast.

Water entering the outer ear or remaining on the skin does not invalidate the fast.

7Saliva, Dust, and Things Difficult to Avoid

Swallowing ordinary saliva does not break the fast. Nor does the unintentional entry of road dust, flour dust, a fly, or something similar that is difficult to avoid.

If mucus or phlegm reaches the mouth and can be expelled, it should be removed rather than deliberately swallowed, as a precaution against the scholarly disagreement and to protect the fast. Its mere presence in the throat or its descent without deliberate swallowing does not invalidate the fast.

8Smelling Fragrances and Using Perfume or Incense

Smelling ordinary fragrances and using perfume do not break the fast. With incense and rising smoke, it is safer for the fasting person not to deliberately inhale its particles and draw them into the throat. Merely smelling its fragrance without deliberately drawing in the smoke does not invalidate the fast.

9Creams, Oils, and Medicated Patches

Creams, ointments, oils, and medicated patches applied to the skin do not break the fast because they are neither food nor drink nor something that takes their place, even if the skin absorbs some of their substance.

Lip balm may be used as long as the fasting person does not deliberately lick or swallow any of its substance.

Non-Nutritional Injections, Insulin, and Vaccines

Non-nutritional therapeutic injections do not break the fast, whether administered into a muscle, vein, or beneath the skin. These include insulin injections, vaccines, antibiotics, pain-relieving injections, and local anesthesia, so long as they do not contain nourishment that replaces food and drink.

Nutritional solutions through which a patient can dispense with food or drink do break the fast.

Eye Drops, Ear Drops, and Kohl

According to the stronger view, eye drops, ear drops, and kohl do not break the fast even if the fasting person tastes the drops in the throat. The eyes and ears are not customary passages for food and drink, and whatever reaches the throat is a small, unintended amount. Someone able to use the medicine at night without harm may do so as a precaution, but necessary treatment should not be delayed merely because of doubt.

If the eardrum is perforated, or if the treatment involves a medical irrigation using a large quantity of fluid, the circumstances may differ. The physician and scholar should be asked about the specific procedure.

Nasal Drops and Nasal Sprays

The nose is a recognized passage to the throat. According to the view adopted here, if nasal drops or spray reach the throat, the fast becomes invalid and must be made up. If nothing reaches the throat, the fast is not invalidated. Some contemporary scholars hold that it does not invalidate the fast if the fasting person avoids swallowing what passes through. The issue is therefore subject to scholarly disagreement. Using the medicine at night is preferable when possible, provided this does not harm the patient or delay needed treatment.

Asthma Inhalers and Oxygen

According to the stronger view, an ordinary asthma inhaler does not break the fast because its small amount of mist is directed toward the respiratory passage and is neither food nor drink nor something that replaces them. Pure oxygen gas likewise does not break the fast.

Nebulizers that mix medicine with a large amount of liquid, or complex respiratory treatments, may differ from an ordinary inhaler. A physician should be asked about their composition and a trustworthy scholar about the ruling on that particular form.

Medicated Tablets Placed Under the Tongue

Fast-acting tablets placed under the tongue to treat angina and similar conditions do not break the fast when absorbed at the site, provided the fasting person avoids swallowing what dissolves from them and expels whatever remains in the mouth. Deliberately swallowing some of the substance invalidates the fast. Treatment for a heart attack or other emergency may not be delayed to preserve the fast; protecting life takes priority. If the patient needs to take something that breaks the fast, the patient should do so and make up the day when able.

Blood Tests and Blood Donation

Drawing a small amount of blood for testing does not break the fast. Blood that exits because of a nosebleed, wound, or tooth extraction likewise does not break the fast because it is either involuntary or does not resemble effective cupping.

Donating a large amount of blood should be postponed until night if possible. According to the view adopted here, it breaks the fast because it takes the ruling of cupping. If an emergency requires it, saving the person in need is permissible, and according to this view the donor then makes up that day.

According to the view adopted here, receiving a blood transfusion breaks the patient's fast because it supplies the body with a large amount that replaces what was lost and strengthens the body. If able to make up the day, the patient must do so. Some contemporary scholars hold that it does not break the fast. The issue is a matter of scholarly judgment, and necessary treatment should not be delayed for the sake of fasting.

Dental Treatment and Tooth Extraction

Dental fillings, cleaning, drilling, extraction, and local anesthesia do not in themselves break the fast, provided the fasting person does not deliberately swallow blood, water, or treatment materials. Procedures that can be delayed should preferably be performed at night if there is concern that something may enter the throat, without delaying necessary treatment.

Suppositories, Gynecological Examinations, and Urinary Catheters

According to the view adopted here, therapeutic rectal or vaginal suppositories, vaginal examinations, urinary catheters, and substances inserted into the urinary tract for treatment or imaging do not break the fast. They are neither food nor drink nor something that takes their place, and they do not enter through the passages used for food and drink.

Liquid enemas, endoscopes, and procedures accompanied by the introduction of fluids or other substances involve further detail and scholarly disagreement. They should not all be treated as identical, and the specific procedure should be presented for a ruling.

Anesthesia and Surgical Operations

Local anesthesia does not in itself break the fast. According to the view adopted here, someone who intended to fast during the night and then regained consciousness from general anesthesia or fainting during any part of the day has a valid fast, provided no invalidator such as nutritional fluids or a blood transfusion was administered. According to the majority of scholars, someone who remained unconscious or anesthetized throughout the entire fasting period from dawn until sunset, without awakening during any part of it, does not have a valid fast and must make up the day.

Sleeping, even throughout the entire day, does not invalidate the fast when the intention was formed beforehand because a sleeping person can be awakened and is not like someone unconscious. The details of surgical operations remain connected to the fluids, medications, and procedures used, so the specific situation should be presented for a ruling.