Fiqh of Fasting: Intentional Intake of Anything into the Abdomen Invalidates the fast

1. Intentional Intake of anything into the abdomen

Anything that is intentionally taken into the abdomen, the throat, or the sinuses, whether it is liquid or solid can invalidate the fast. Some of the scholars have also added the condition that anything that is nutritious breaks the fast if it enters the body.

A lot of people had the opinion in the past and also some of the madhaaib (pl. madhab) still have the opinion that nothing can even enter the mouth, so one is not allowed to brush his teeth and they base this on the hadith narrated by Aboo Hurayrah who said that the Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) said, “….By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the smell of musk.” This is an authentic hadith but nowhere in it does it say that something entering the mouth is prohibited. This is considered to be an indirect proof according to some scholars therefore doesn’t apply.

There is the hadith of the Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) that he (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) used the miswak (siwaak – stick to brush teeth with from a special tree) in the day time during the month of Ramadaan. Imaam An Nawawee said in al-Majmoo’ (6/327) that Al-Bukhaaree (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Chapter: Using fresh or dry siwaak for one who is fasting … Abu Hurayrah said, narrating from the Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam): “Were it not that it would cause hardship for my ummah (Muslim community/nation). I would have commanded them to use the siwaak for every wudoo’ (ablution) .” Imaam Al Bukhaaree said: There is no difference between one who is fasting and one who is not. ‘Aa’ishah said, narrating from the Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam): “The siwaak purifies the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord.” ‘Ata’ and Qutaadah said: he may swallow his saliva.” The hadith mentioned here are in Sahih Al Bukhaaree (887), and the narration of Aisha also found in Sunan An Nasaa’ee #5, graded authentic by Al Albaanee in Sahih An Nasaa’ee #5. One must also take care of the intention why he puts the thing in his mouth is it to quench the thirst or hunger or for another reason. If for the former it is not allowed.

Related Posts:
Prologue
Introduction
Chapter 1: Fasting in Ramadhaan
Chapter 2: Conditions in which breaking fast is Permissible, Impermissible, or Recommended
Chapter 3: That which Invalidates Your Fast
1. Intentional Intake of anything into the abdomen
2. Intention to break fast
3. Fluctuating Intention to fast
4. Vomiting intentionally
5. Menstruation or Post Partum Bleeding
6. Masturbation
7. Marital Relations
8. Cupping for both parties
9. Death
10. Apostasy
11. Above are Exempted in some cases

Chapter 4: Repayment of Missed or Broken Fasts
Chapter 5: Recommended, Disliked, and Impermissible Days of Fasting

(Chapter 4 & 5 – Insha’Allah comming soon around Eid al Fitr)