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Practical Laws of Islam

    • Rules of Taqlīd
    • Rules on Purity
    • Prayer
    • Fasting
      • Pregnant and Nursing Women
      • Illness and Restriction by a Physician
      • Fast Invalidators
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        Fast Invalidators
         
        Q 754: During the month of Ramadan, a mukallaf decides to break his fast but he changes his mind before doing so. Is his fast valid? What about the fast other than that of Ramadan?
        A: During the month of Ramadan if he ceases intending to fast, i.e. he does not have intention to continue his fast, it invalidates his fast and intending again to proceed with the fast is to no avail. Of course, he should avoid fast invalidators until Maghrib. However, if he doubts, i.e. he has not decided whether or not to continue his fast or he decides to perform something which would invalidate the fast (but does not do so), the validity of his fast is problematic in these two cases and there is an obligatory caution to complete the fast and later perform its qaḍā’ as well. The same rule is applied to any fast which is obligatory for a specific day like that of nadhr.
         
        Q 755: If a person who is fasting bleeds in the mouth, does it invalidate his fast?
        A: Bleeding in the mouth does not void a fast. However, it is obligatory to prevent blood from reaching the throat.
         
        Q 756: Please, give your opinion concerning smoking by a person who is fasting.
        A: By obligatory caution, one has to avoid taking in cigarette smoke and the like while fasting. The same rule is applied to drugs absorbed through nose or put under the tongue.
         
        Q 757: Some people use ‘nās,’ which is made up of tobacco and other constituents, and they put it under their tongues for a few minutes, then they spit it out. Does that void the fast?
        A: A fasting person should avoid – by obligatory caution – all kind of tobacco products. The same rule applies to the drugs which are absorbed through the nose/under the tongue.
         
        Q 758: There is a medicine for asthma patients, which is in the form of a spray containing a vapor-borne powder which enters the patient’s lungs through the mouth providing him relief. At times, asthma patients need to use it several times a day. Is it permissible to fast while using such a spray?
        A: This spray, which is used to open respiratory tract, does not validate fast.
         
        Q 759: My gums often bleed and the blood gets mixed with saliva. At times I am not sure whether the saliva that enters my throat is mixed with blood or not. Is my fast valid? Please tell me what I am supposed to do to overcome this problem.
        A: If the blood from your gums dissolves in the saliva, then the saliva is pure and can be swallowed. In this case, your fast is valid as well. If you are not sure whether the saliva is mixed with blood or not, it can be swallowed without affecting the fast.

         

        Q 760: Once in the holy month of Ramadan, I forgot to brush my teeth, and some tiny bits of food remained in my mouth. I swallowed the bits unintentionally. Do I have to perform the qaḍā’ for that day’s fast?

         

        A: If you did not know that some bits of food remained between the teeth, or you did not know that they would reach the throat, and they were swallowed unknowingly and unintentionally, then you are not liable to make qaḍā’ of the fast.
         
        Q 761: The gums of a person who is fasting bleed a lot. Does that invalidate his fast? Moreover, is it permissible to pour water over one’s head with a jug?
        A: Bleeding of gums does not invalidate the fast unless the blood is swallowed. Also one’s fast is not affected by pouring water over one’s head with a jug or the like.
         
        Q 762: There are certain medicines for feminine illnesses that are applied through the vagina. Does their use invalidate the fast?
        A: The use of such medicine does not invalidate the fast.
         
        Q 763: Please explain your view on having injections while fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan?
        A: It is based on obligatory caution for the fasting person to avoid having any kind of supportive, nutritional or intravenous injections. The same rule is applied to all kinds of intravenous fluid infusions. However, there is no problem in using non-nutritional intramuscular injections, like antibiotics, pain killers or anesthetic injections.
         
        Q 764: Is it permissible to take pills for high blood pressure during fasting?
        A: If taking these pills during Ramadan is necessary for controlling high blood pressure, it is permissible, but it will invalidate the fast.
         
        Q 765: Since we think taking tablets for treatment is not regarded as eating or drinking in the common view, would taking them void the fast?
        A: Taking tablets through the mouth invalidates the fast.

         

        Q 766: During the month of Ramadan a man had sexual intercourse with his wife with her consent. What is the rule concerning them?
        A: The rule of intentional breaking of the fast applies to both of them. Hence it is obligatory for both of them to perform its qaḍā’ along with kaffārah.
         
        Q 767: A man has foreplay with his wife during the day in the month of Ramadan, does it invalidate his fast?
        A: As long as it does not result in ejaculation, his fast is not affected.
      • Remaining Junub
      • Masturbation
      • Rules of Breaking Fasting
      • Kaffārah of the Fast and Its Amount
      • Making up Missed Fasts
      • Miscellaneous Issues on Fasting
      • Sighting the New Moon
    • Khums
    • Jihad
    • Enjoining the Good and Forbidding Evil
    • Ḥarām Gains
    • Chess and Gambling Instruments
    • Music and Ghinā’
    • Dancing
    • Clapping
    • Non-maḥrams’ Pictures and Films
    • Satellite Television Equipment
    • Theatre and Cinema
    • Painting and Sculpture
    • Magic, Conjuring, and Evocation of Spirits and Jinn
    • Hypnosis
    • Lottery
    • Bribery
    • Medical Issues
    • Teaching, Learning and Their Proprieties
    • Copyrights
    • Dealing with non-Muslims
    • Working for Oppressive States
    • Rules on Clothing and Conspicuous ones
    • Treating the West
    • Smoking and Narcotics
    • Shaving the Beard
    • Attending Gatherings of Debauchery
    • Writing Supplications and Istikhārah
    • Religious Events
    • Hoarding and Extravagance
    • Buying and Selling
    • Miscellaneous Issues in Business
    • Rules Concerning Ribā
    • Right of Pre-emption
    • Hiring, Renting, and Lease
    • Surety
    • Pawning and Mortgaging
    • Partnership
    • Presents and Gifts
    • Debt and Loan
    • Ṣulḥ
    • Power of Attorney
    • Mustaḥabb Alms
    • Deposits and Loaned Properties
    • Leaving a Will
    • Usurpation
    • Placement under Guardianship and Signs of Maturity
    • Silent Partnership
    • Banking
    • State Property
    • Endowments
    • Rules Concerning Graveyards
    • Glossary
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