I was asked to pass on the following question from a sister: Bismillah Salamu alaikum I have the following problem: I frequently suffer under mucus in my mouth and throat along with temporarily bleeding of the gums which is especially difficult while fasting. So I often must run to the wash basin, holding ready tissues for spitting during the prayer wherein I am very tensed, because I am afraid to swallow any mucus or blood intentionally while fasting. I made up some of the missed days of the last Ramadan. As a precaution I want to make up the whole Ramadan. Why? Because of my tenseness and uncertainty. I am afraid, that I swallowed something of mucus or blood intentionally in Ramadan. But now I have the same problem and I am thinking about making up the made up days(!). My question is: Do I have to make up these days till the next Ramadan under such circumstances or may I feed poor people as a compensation? Please note that I am suffering under waswaas which affects my life in general. I can very well imagine, that you are very busy, but in case I have to make up these days, I want to start as soon as possible before the days become longer which would be more difficult for me. So a quick response would be very helpful. I wish that Allah gives you the best for your efforts.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we caution you to repel Waswaas (obsessive whispers) and endeavor to get rid of them; the cure for Waswaas is to disregard it and not think about it.

As regards your question, you are not obliged to make up any of those days which you doubt their validity as in principle your fasting is valid and doubting an act of worship after having completed it does not affect its validity.

With regard to swallowing phlegm deliberately, whether or not it invalidates the fasting, then there is a difference of opinion about it. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen is of the view that swallowing phlegm does not invalidate the fasting.

It appears that your question is a result of the Waswaas which you suffer so you should avoid this Waswaas and disregard it.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 185033.

Allaah Knows best.