Swallowing Saliva during the Fast Fatwa No: 85147
- Fatwa Date:17-11-2002
During Ramadan, are we allowed to swallow our saliva as it is naturally produced?
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
Swallowing saliva and sputum while fasting does not affect the validity of fasting or prayer even if the person does that deliberately. This is the most preponderant opinion of the scholars as it is very difficult for the person to rid of it and ordering him to do so causes much hardship for him. Allah Says (what means): {Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.} [Quran 2: 185]
Allah also Says (what means): {… and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship.} [Quran 22: 78]
On the other hand, swallowing it undeliberately is lawful and does not have any effect on the validity of fasting. There is a consensus of scholars over this issue. However, it is not desirable to accumulate saliva to drink.
Allah knows best.