Sawm Central Guide › Rules & Practical Rulings
Lesson 5
Does This Break My Fast?
This lesson answers common real-life questions clearly. Use it when uncertainty appears, and return to the core rule when confused.
The guiding rule
A fast is broken when a known nullifier is done intentionally during fasting time.
Eating & drinking related questions
Toothpaste?
Does not break the fast if nothing is swallowed. Be careful.
Does not break the fast if nothing is swallowed. Be careful.
Swallowing saliva?
Does not break the fast.
Does not break the fast.
Eating or drinking by mistake?
Does not break the fast. Continue fasting.
Does not break the fast. Continue fasting.
Medical matters
Injections?
Non-nutritive injections do not break the fast.
Non-nutritive injections do not break the fast.
IV fluids / nutrition?
Breaks the fast because they replace food or drink.
Breaks the fast because they replace food or drink.
Blood tests?
Do not break the fast.
Do not break the fast.
Smells, drops, and inhalation
Perfume or incense?
Smelling does not break the fast. Avoid deliberate inhalation of smoke.
Smelling does not break the fast. Avoid deliberate inhalation of smoke.
Eye or ear drops?
Do not break the fast according to many scholars.
Do not break the fast according to many scholars.
Inhaler (asthma)?
Scholars differ. Many permit it due to necessity.
Scholars differ. Many permit it due to necessity.
Bodily matters
Vomiting unintentionally?
Does not break the fast.
Does not break the fast.
Vomiting intentionally?
Breaks the fast.
Breaks the fast.
Bleeding (cut, nosebleed)?
Does not break the fast.
Does not break the fast.
When in doubt, return to the rule:
Was it intentional? Was it nourishment? Did it occur during fasting time?