Taking a Bath while Fasting

26/07/2010| IslamWeb

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said, “Sometimes the Messenger of Allah would wake up in a state of Janaabah (ceremonial impurity) and then make Ghusl (ritual bath) and go to the mosque with his head dripping water, then he would fast that day.”[Ahmad]

Abu Bakr ibn ‘Abdul-Rahmaan narrated on the authority of a Companion that he said, “I saw the Messenger of Allah in Al-‘Arj pouring water over his head while he was fasting, out of thirst or out of heat.” [Abu Daawood]

Al-Bukhari said,

“Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, moistened a garment and put it over himself while fasting, and Ash-Sha‘bi entered the Hammaam (communal bath) when he was fasting. Also, Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘It is permissible for the fasting person to taste food.’ Al-Hasan said, ‘A fasting person may rinse his mouth with water and take a bath.’ Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘If one of you is fasting, then he should apply hair oil and comb his hair.’ Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘I have a small basin (of water) where I bathe when I am fasting.’”

 

Benefits and rulings:

• First: It is permissible for the fasting person to beat the heat and thirst by pouring water over parts of his body or his entire body, whether this is in an obligatory, recommended or permissible Ghusl.
• Second: It is permissible for the fasting person to immerse himself in water, but he should be careful lest some water should reach inside his stomach.
• Third: Lessening the hardship resulting from an act of worship by things allowed under Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation) does not indicate that one is annoyed or troubled by that act of worship. Moreover, one should not disparage reducing that hardship.
• Fourth: Man is weak and is always in need of the blessings of Allah and the means that remove hardship from him.
• Fifth: It is permissible for the fasting person to enter sauna baths and the like. It is also permissible for him to apply perfume, hair oil and beautify himself. Perfumes do not break one’s fast and they are not disliked to be worn by fasting people.
• Sixth: It is permissible for the fasting person to use a basin, a pool of water or a swimming pool to cool or clean his body or swim for sports. This does not render his fasting invalid.
• Seventh: It is permissible for the fasting person to taste food with his tongue without swallowing it, if he needs to taste it. Imaam Ahmad said, “It is preferable for me that the fasting person does not taste food, but there is no harm if he tastes it.” The Permanent Committee issued a Fatwa (religious verdict) permitting the tasting of food by the fasting person.