Matters that Break the Fast
Fatwa No: 85377

Question

What are the things that violate fast?

Answer

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.

The fast becomes void by any one of the following actions during the hours of fasting:
1- Deliberately eating or drinking
2- Having sex in the vagina (and even the anus, which is worse and absolutely prohibited) whether it causes ejaculation of sperm or not.
3- Apostating from Islam in word or in deed.
4- Menses and post-childbirth bleeding.
5- Insanity; i.e. the fast of a person who is insane is void.
6- Snuffing; i.e. inhaling medicines, foods etc., through nose.
7- Taking any injection with the intention of nourishing; otherwise, it is permissible.
8- Ejaculation because of touching a woman; if one ejaculates due to kissing, hugging, etc, his fast becomes void. If he does not ejaculate, then the fast is valid.
9- If frequent looking at a woman with desire does not cause ejaculation of sperm then such a fast is correct. If it leads to ejaculation, then the fast becomes void according to the preponderant opinion of Muslim scholars. However, the discharge of Madhi (pre-seminal fluid) does not break the fast.
10- Intentional vomiting nullifies the fast but an unintentional vomiting does not invalidate the fast provided the particles of the vomit do not return to the stomach after reaching the mouth.
We would like to draw your attention to the following matters:
1. Tasting food is permissible for a fasting person provided nothing gets into his stomach.
2- If a fasting person swallows any bleeding or vomit that happens in the mouth, his fast becomes null. If he spits it out, then his fast is valid.
3- The mucus that comes from the head or from the chest should be spit out.
4- Using kohl is permissible.
5- Applying oil to the body is permissible.
6- Eating and drinking due to forgetfulness does not invalidate the fasting. So, one should continue the fast and he does not make up this day later.
7- If one wakes up in the morning after having a wet dream, his fast is correct, and he has to perform Ghusl for the Fajr prayer.
8- If one ejaculates due to masturbation, then he has to repent to Allah and he should make up the day later since his fast is void.
9- Having a wet dream during the daytime does not harm the fast since it happens without the intention of the person.
10- If one had intercourse during the night and performed Ghusl, and then he had discharge of sperm during the fast, his fast is correct.
Allah Knows best.

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