Fasting during Ramadan is one of the most important acts of worship, yet every year, myths and misconceptions spread about what does and doesn’t break the fast. To clarify, this guide is based on Islamic fatwas, particularly from Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah and Al-Azhar scholars.

Things People Think Break Their Fast Durinng Ramadan (But Actually Don’t)

1. Swallowing Your Saliva

• Some people believe that swallowing saliva breaks the fast, leading them to frequently spit. However, Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah confirms that saliva is naturally produced and swallowing it does not affect the fast.
• This applies even if saliva collects in the mouth before being swallowed.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

2. Accidentally Eating or Drinking

• If someone eats or drinks out of forgetfulness, their fast remains valid. This is based on the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “If someone forgets while fasting and eats or drinks, let them complete their fast, for it is Allah who has fed them and given them drink.”
• However, if a person intentionally continues after remembering, their fast is broken.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

3. Brushing Your Teeth (Without Swallowing the Toothpaste)

• Using a toothbrush or miswak is allowed during fasting as long as nothing is swallowed.
• Scholars recommend brushing before Fajr or after Iftar to avoid doubt, but there is no Islamic ruling forbidding it.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

4. Taking a Shower, Bath, or Swimming

• Water touching the body does not break the fast.
• However, if water enters the throat intentionally while swimming or showering, the fast is broken.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

5. Using Eye Drops, Ear Drops, or Applying Makeup

• Whatever enters through the eyes (like kohl, mascara, or eyedrops) does not break the fast.
• The same applies to ear drops, perfume, and makeup, unless swallowed.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

6. Getting a Non-Nutritive Injection

• Medical injections that do not provide nutrition—like vaccines, insulin, antibiotics, or painkillers—do not break the fast.
• However, nutritive injections (IV fluids, glucose, vitamins) do break the fast because they replace food and drink.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

7. Bleeding (From a Cut, Nosebleed, or Blood Test)

• Losing blood does not invalidate fasting. This includes:
  • Nosebleeds
  • Cuts and wounds
  • Blood tests
• However, blood donation can weaken the body, and scholars discourage it while fasting.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

8. Tasting Food (Without Swallowing)

• Cooks can taste food if necessary, as long as they do not swallow it.
• This applies only in rare cases—it should not become a habit.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

9. Kissing or Hugging Your Spouse (With Self-Control)

• Expressing affection does not break the fast unless it leads to arousal and ejaculation.
• Scholars advise avoiding excessive physical intimacy during fasting hours.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

10. Using an Inhaler for Asthma

• Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah states that inhalers do not break the fast, as they are not food or drink.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

11. Having a Wet Dream While Fasting

• If a person has a wet dream during fasting, their fast remains valid.
• They must perform ghusl (ritual purification) but do not need to make up the fast.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

12. Sleeping During the Day

• Sleeping while fasting does not break the fast, even if someone sleeps for long hours.
• However, fasting should not be used as an excuse for laziness.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

Things That Actually Break Your Fast (But Many Don’t Realize)

1. Deliberately Vomiting

• If vomiting is intentional, the fast is broken.
• If vomiting happens naturally, the fast remains valid.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

2. Swallowing Water While Rinsing Your Mouth

• Excessive rinsing (such as gargling) can lead to accidental swallowing, which breaks the fast.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

3. Chewing Gum (Even Sugar-Free)

• Chewing gum releases substances that reach the stomach, breaking the fast.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

4. Smoking or Vaping

• Smoking and vaping break the fast as they involve inhaling substances into the body.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

5. Intentional Eating or Drinking (Even a Small Amount)

• If someone knowingly eats or drinks, even a drop of water, the fast is immediately broken.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

6. Menstruation or Postpartum Bleeding

• Even if menstruation starts minutes before Maghrib, the fast is invalid.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

7. Taking a Nutritional Injection or IV Drip

• If the injection replaces food or drink (glucose, vitamins), the fast is broken.

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

8. Intentional Ejaculation

• If ejaculation occurs due to deliberate actions, the fast is broken.
• If it happens involuntarily (wet dream), the fast remains valid.

Fatwa Source: Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah

9. Sexual Intercourse During the Day

• Intercourse while fasting immediately breaks the fast and requires both making up the fast and a heavy penalty (kaffara).

Fatwa Source: Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee

The Tea? Avoid Misinformation

Many people complicate fasting with unnecessary restrictions, while others unknowingly break their fast due to misinformation. Understanding the correct rulings helps ensure a proper and rewarding Ramadan.

For more detailed fatwas, visit Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah’s website: www.dar-alifta.org