A look into what invalidates a fast in Islam and the consequences.

The shari’ definition of a fast is: to withhold from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse during daylight hours, (beginning of fajr to maghrib) with an intention of fasting, performed by one capable and required to do so.¹

This article will specifically look at the eating, drinking and marital relations element, in that which actions are included and what invalidates the fast. We will also mention the ruling whether expiation will be due and those matter that are disliked or Mubah.

What invalidates a fast in terms of eating and drinking

Generally, what invalidates a fast is something² that enters the body from various entry points. The item must reach the throat, the stomach or the intestines.³ If this item was entered into the thigh or finger, then it would not invalidate the fast.

The entry points to either the throat, stomach or intestines may be 1. the mouth, 2. the nose, 3. the ears, 4. the eyes, 5. the anus, 6. the vagina, 7. the urinal passage, 8. the head (where there is a deep injury), the abdomen (where there is a deep injury), pores in the body. However from these entry points, only some reach the throat, stomach or intestines.

If directly or indirectly then will invalidate because it reached it.

1. Mouth – The mouth is directly linked to the throat
2. Nose – The nose is directly linked to the throat
3. Ears – The ear is not linked to the digestive system⁴
4. Eyes – The eye is indirectly linked to the throat via the nose⁵
5. Anus – The anus is directly connected to the intestines
6. Vagina – The vagina is not directly connected to the intestines⁶
7. Urinal Passage – The urinal passage is not connected to the intestines
8. An injury to the body – If one suffers a head injury in which the skull is fractured then any substances which passes will enter the throat or if one suffers an abdominal injury in which it is fractured then any substances which passes will enter the stomach or intestines, otherwise, if such injuries are not that deep, then they will not⁷
9. Pores of the body – The pores of the body are not connected to the digestive system

We can conclude the entry points to the digestive system are the mouth, the nose or the anus and possibly the ear and a deep injury. If food or an item enters any of the others, then it will not invalidate the fast, whether it is nutritional or not.

As a summary the fast is only invalidated if a substance enters an entry point that is connected with the digestive system independently and where no exception exists.

The exceptions

There are a number of exceptions to what invalidates a fast:

• Forgetfulness

If one forgot they were fasting and did something that would invalidate it, e.g. ate or had intercourse then it will not invalidate the fast.

• Food remaining in the teeth

If after closing the fast, food remains stuck in the teeth, then if it is less than the size of chickpea and one swallowed it accidentally then it will not invalidate the fast. If it was equal to or bigger, then it will invalidate the fast if one swallows it.

• A small substance enters the mouth

This would be a substance the size of a sesame-seed.⁸ If it was chewed or swallowed but no taste could be found in the throat then it would not invalidate the fast to swallow it. If there was a taste, then it would invalidate it.

• Unavoidable substances

This applies to things that one is not able to guard oneself against and if one were to do so then it would entail hardship. For example, saliva, mucus, dust in the air or water that remains in the mouth and nose from wudu.⁹ An unavoidable substance will invalidate the fast if deliberately swallowed or inhaled.

Clarification of non-exceptions

The following would not be classed as exceptions:

• Accidents

Such that if one by accident, while remembering that one was fasting, ended up doing something that would invalidate the fast then it would be considered invalidated. So if one mistakenly swallowed water while making wudu then that would invalidate the fast.

• Necessity

Doing something out of necessity will invalidate the fast for example, if one is feeling dizzy and drinks water, or takes medicine or uses an asthma pump.

• Unawareness

Being unaware that something will invalidate the fast is not an exception, even if one would not have done it if one had known that it would invalidate the fast. So if someone did not know that taking medicine will invalidate the fast and therefore took a pill for a headache then that will invalidate the fast.

• Sleeping or unconscious or insane

Such that if one does something while sleeping that would invalidate the fast then it would be considered invalidated. The same applies if something invalidating was done to someone sleeping or the unconscious or insane.

• Being forced

Being forced is akin to an accident. The action is still attributed to the person who is forced even if he did not perform it wilfully.

What invalidates a fast in terms of sexual intercourse

Sexual intercourse may take place in either of the two holes (Vagina or Anus¹⁰) but also extends to ejaculation with assistance or, relating to the eating and drinking category, exchange of saliva. If any of the invalidators are met, then expiation will be due.

Invalidators

• Intercourse
• Orgasm and ejaculation with physical assistance
• Passionate kissing with exchange of saliva

Non invalidators

• If an orgasm and /or ejaculation is achieved without physical assistance e.g. wet dream of by looking/thinking
• Thinking about sex
• Looking at spouse with sexual desire
• Talking about sex
• Non-passionate kissing
• Kissing the body
• Touching passionately
• Feeling aroused

However the above are makhruh if there is fear they will lead to an invalidator.

Expiations

Depending on the activity and/or intention one may have to pay the Kafaara for invalidating the fast. There is no expiation for violating a fast outside of the fast of Ramadan.

The expiation is to free a slave; if he does not have one, he must fast two consecutive months; if he is genuinely unable, then he must feed sixty poor people half of Sa’ of wheat, which is about 2.2 kg. Or he may give its equivalent monetary value to each person.

Expiation only applies to Ramadhan fasts. Expiation is mandatory only if one had made the intention to fast before Fajr.

Generally, when an expiation is required can be summarised as if one eats or drinks something of nutritional value on purpose or something for medicinal purposes; or if one has sexual intercourse on purpose, then he must make up the fast as well as perform expiation. 

A List of activities and their associated rulings relating to the mouth, nose and body

Activity	Invalidator?	Comment	Expiation required?
Eating food on purpose	Yes		Yes
Drinking something on purpose	Yes		Yes
Nibbling on food	Yes		Yes
Acupuncture	No		No
Asthma Pump/Inhaler	Yes	Due to it being pumped down the throat. If in emergency then no Kafaara due.	Yes
Contact Lenses	No		No
Eye drops	No		No
Endoscopy	Yes	Due to having to spray down the throat	No
Deodorant	No		No
Lotion	No		No
Smelling incense	No	Unless inhaling the smoke deliberately	No
Lip Balm	No	Ensure none is swallowed	No
Lip stick	No	Ensure none is swallowed	No
Intravenous drip	No		No
Injections	No		No
Blood extract	No		No
Blood transfusion/infusion	No		No
Make up	No		No
Mouthwash	No	Unless it is swallowed. Disliked due to potential of swallowing.	No
Nose decongestant	No	If breathed in it will invalidate the fast	No
Cigarette Patches	No	This would include other patches	No
Pills or tablets	Yes		Yes
Smoking	Yes		Yes
Smelling perfume	No		No
Smelling food	No	Unless inhaling the smoke deliberately	No
Tooth paste	No	Unless it is swallowed. Must be careful it doesn’t go down the throat.	No
Sonogram	No		No
Hijama/Cupping	No	Disliked if it weakens a person	No
Miswak/Toothbrush	No	Unless any flavour is swallowed	No
Generally rinsing the mouth or the nose	No		No
Placing a wet garment on one’s body or taking a bath due to heat.	No		No
Applying oil	No		No
Kohl	No	even if can find taste in throat	No
Smoke or dust	No		No
Swallowing mucus or phlegm	No	Better not to swallow	No
Eating clay	No	If done so out of habit, otherwise it will invalidate	No
Chewing on paper	No	Unless it is swallowed, but makruh	No
Chewing on a Pen top	No	Unless it is swallowed, but makruh	No
Biting Nails	No	Unless it is swallowed, but makruh	No
Eating Stones	Yes		No
Eating Mud	Yes		No
Raw flour	No		No
Raw rice	No		No
Breaks fast under coercion	Yes		No
Break due to fear of illness	Yes		No
Someone puts food in his mouth	Yes		No
Enema	Yes		Yes
Applying medicine to urethra	No		No
Chewing plain gum	No	Makhruh	No
Chewing flavoured gum	Yes		Yes
Smoking	Yes	Only if deliberate	Yes
Vaping	Yes	Only if deliberate	Yes
Accidentally swallowing water while rinsing the mouth or	Yes		No
inhaling water too far up the nose	Yes		No
Someone pouring water over a sleeping person and water enters the mouth	Yes		No
Self-induced vomiting a mouthful or more	Yes		Yes
Self-induced vomiting less than a mouthful	No		No
If one vomits a mouthful naturally and re-swallows it.	Yes		Yes
If one vomits a mouthful or less	No		No
Accidental eating	Yes		No
Forgetful eating eats something out of forgetfulness	No	One must stop the act immediately upon remembering that he is fasting. If he fails to do so and continues eating or drinking, the fast will be invalidated.	No
Eating something not knowing it will invalidate	Yes		No
Sudden severe sickness	Yes		No
Menses starts	Yes		No
Post-natal bleeding started	Yes		No
Unintentional ingesting rain or snow	No		No
Unintentional swallowing tears or sweat	No		No
Intentional ingesting rain or snow	Yes		Yes
Intentional swallowing tears or sweat	Yes	Or the case where lots of sweat and tears are swallowed	Yes
Bleeding in the mouth with blood being the majority in the saliva and one swallows it	Yes		Yes
Bleeding in the mouth with blood NOT being the majority in the saliva	No		No
Gathering saliva in the mouth and swallowing it	No	Disliked	No
Tasting food by a wife	No	Only allowed if her husband is strict and done to keep the peace. Must not be swallowed.	No
Chewing food or making it malleable for a child	No	Only if required. Must not be swallowed.	No
Eats pips or seeds	Yes		Yes
Backbiting	No	Loss of the reward of fasting	No
Intending to break	No		No
Unintentional taste like entering a factory or remains of taste of medicine that one had before Fajr	No		No
Using an ear bud	No		No
Eating raw meat or jerked meat	Yes		Yes
Smoking	Yes		No
Fasting resident who breaks fast due to traveling	Yes		No
Nasal spray	Yes		No
Cigarette patches	No		No
Cigarette gum	No	Yes if swallowed substance or saliva with flavourings	No
Multi vitamins	Yes		Yes
Nebuliser	Yes	No Kafaara due if done out of necessity	Yes
Oxgen itself  – not	No		No
Bonjela	No	Unless it is swallowed	No
Vapour rub in the nose	Yes		No
Vapour rub on the chest	No		No
Inhaling Vapour rub	Yes		Yes
Nasal cream	No	as long as doesn’t go down	No
Having Gaviscon	Yes		Yes
Diabetes insulin injection in the stomach	No	DOUBLE CHECK
Stomach injection	No	DOUBLE CHECK
Metal instrument down the throat attached to a person on one end	No	But if the end of the object has some medication, then it will break it	No
Metal instrument down the throat freely	Yes	But if the end of the object has some medication, then it will break it	No
Using sauna	No	Unless steam swallowed	No
Using steam room	No	Unless steam swallowed	No
Laser eye treatment	No		No
Inhaling steam	Yes		Yes
Inhaling Humidified CPAP	Yes		Yes
Accidental swallowing of water whilst doing wudu	Yes		No
Clove oil on teeth or gums	No	as long as the medicine or the taste of the clove oil does not reach the throat	No
Perineum Physiotherapy	No		No
Chewing gum which has sugar and artificial flavourings	Yes		Yes
Chewing gum with no flavour	No	Disliked	No
Hormone Replacement Therapy Patch	No		No
Vaping yes	Yes		Yes
swallowing the wetness that remains after washing one’s mouth for wudu or ghusl	no		No
B12 Injections	No		No
Glucose injections	No		No
Vitamin injections	No		No

If someone sees a person eating or drinking, he must remind him of the fast, as it is prohibitively disliked to not remind him, unless the person is weak, and it is better they eat. 

A List of activities and their associated rulings in relation to the private organs

Activity	Invalidator?	Comment	Expiation required?
Using istinja with water	No	Being careful not to excessively put water up ones anus	No
Suppository in the anus	Yes		No
Tampon	Yes	If inserted all the way in	Yes
Ejaculation due to touching or kissing	Yes		No
Kissing spouse	No	If one kisses his spouse while not feeling secure [from ejaculation or intercourse], it is disliked. If, however, one feels secure from engaging in intercourse or from ejaculation due to the kissing, it is not disliked.	No
Oral sex –	No	It would be blameworthy and disliked	No
Orgasm due to looking or thinking without touching.	No		No
Inserting finger fully in vagina or anus or another instrument	Yes	Full entry	No
Masturbation or by rubbing on breasts or abs or thighs	Yes		No
Having a smear test	Yes	as it requires inserting an object into the private part of a woman.	No
Engaging in sexual intercourse because one still thinks Fajr has not entered but it really has	Yes		No
Engaging in sexual intercourse forgetfully	No		No
Engaging in sexual intercourse forgetfully and thereafter thinking that the fast is broken, to deliberately have sexual intercourse again	Yes		No
Entering something wet or oiled into the anus, even if it does not completely disappear inside of the body	Yes		No
Entering a wet tissue or a wet piece of cotton into the vagina, even if it does not completely disappear inside of the body	Yes		No
Entering a dry tissue or a dry piece of cotton into the vagina and it is completely inserted inside of the body without any part remaining outside	Yes		No
Pouring water or oil into the anus and it reaches the distance of the enema	Yes		No
pouring water or oil into the vagina and it reaches the distance of the enema	Yes		No
Whoever has sexual intercourse in other than the vaginal passage, and ejaculates	Yes		No
Vaginal examination from the outer	No		No
A wet dream	No		No

Obligation to Continue fasting

In the following cases one must continue to behave like they are fasting. It is Waajib to do so. 

• If one breaks the fast [whether accidental, on purpose, or under coercion]
• If a traveller arrives to his place of residence, and was not fasting on his journey
• If a woman in menstruation or postnatal bleeding becomes pure
• If a non-Muslim embraces Islam
• Or if a child becomes an adult [by puberty or by age].

The first three will need to be made up only.

Making up fasts

The Ramadhan fasts are made up with a qaḍā’ fast. If one begins a voluntary fast and then violates it, he should make it up by way of qaḍā’. When making up fasts in general, one does not have to perform them consecutively.

Whoever is overcome by unconsciousness during Ramadan does not make up as qaḍā’ the fast of the day in which the unconsciousness took place, but he should make up as qaḍā’ whatever fasts come after it.

When the insane person recovers from his insanity for a part of Ramadan, after Ramadan he should make up by way of qaḍā’ whatever fasts have passed, and he should fast whatever days remain in that month.

When a woman menstruates or enters the postnatal period, she should break her fast and make it up by way of qaḍā’ when she becomes pure. As well as all the days she misses out on fasting. When a menstruating woman attains purity during any part of the day, she should abstain from food and drink for the remainder of that day.

1. Mukallaf and no exemption like old or experiencing menstruation ↩︎
2. This is whether it is some meat or smoke or whether it has nutritional value or not. ↩︎
3. and must remain there independently. If someone places a metal rod down the throat but was holding it at one end, then this would not be independent, therefore will not break the fast ↩︎
4. It was believed it did, so some fatawa were based on that. Also is there a hole in the eardrum, it will be indirectly connected to the throat. ↩︎
5. However is an exception as per the sunnah. ↩︎
6. It was believed it did, so some fatawa were based on that ↩︎
7. Such injury to the body is unlikely and if one sustains such injures, they most like will be excused from fasting, but for the sake of completeness, they have been mentioned. ↩︎
8. Something so minute when it enters the mouth it is not even felt ↩︎
9. non exhaustive ↩︎
10. Haraam but mentioned to clarify for those who may have engaged in this act ↩︎