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. However, if he just decides to perform or take anything that would invalidate the fast, the validity of his fast is problematic and there is an obligatory caution to complete the fast and later perform its qadaa’ 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 ‘nas,’ 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: If they swallow the saliva mixed with nas, then their fast will become void.

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: If it is compressed air mixed with medicine in the shape of a powder or gas and enters the throat, the fast’s validity is problematic. If fasting without using it is difficult or impossible, using the medicine is permissible. However, it is a caution not to perform any other invalidator and to make qadaa’ of the fast without using it, if possible.

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. 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. If you are not sure whether the saliva is mixed with blood or not, it can still 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 qadaa’ 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 qadaa’ 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 objection to using anesthetic injections and intramuscular ones for treatment purposes.

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 qadaa’ along with kaffarah.

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.