1. Ramadhaan - A Date with Dr. Zakir
Episode 6
Acts Permitted During Fasting
[Duration - 46 Minutes]
Yusuf Chambers: Dear Brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity,
Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu. May the Peace,
Mercy and Blessings of Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) be on all of you.
Welcome to the series, Ramadhaan - A Date with Dr. Zakir. I’m your
host Yusuf Chambers, and today we will discuss the topic, Acts
Permitted During Fasting.
Dr. Zakir, Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
Dr. Zakir: Wa Alaikum As Salaamu Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
Yusuf Chambers: And how are you today?
Dr. Zakir: Alhumdulillah. Allahibarik Shay.
Yusuf Chambers: MashaAllah. This topic leads to quite a lot of
confusion amongst our community, specially where I come from. Many
people abstain from certain actions which we will find out today during
the course of this show… are Sunnah and they are also recommended
by Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala).
So lets start with the question relating to, to one of those issues, I’m
sure.. the taking of a bath, bathing, sometimes it is taken, the bath in
order to cool the body down, due to climatic conditions and other
times it is taken to remove sexual impurity. Is this a permitted act
during the fast?
Dr. Zakir: Alhumdulillah, Was Salaatu Was Salaam Aala Rasoolillah
Wa Ala Aalihi Wa Ashaabihi Wa Ajma’een, Amma Baad.
A’uzu billahi minash shaytan nir-rajeem, Bismillah hirrahman
nirraheem.
1

2. Rabbish rahli Şadri Wa Yassir Li ‘Amri Wa Ahlul `Uqdatam Min Lisaani
Yafqahu Qawli.
As far as bathing is concerned, that is Ghusl, whether it’s done for a
religious Fardh if you are in the state of Junub, that’s sexual
defilement or whether it is done to clean your body, to remove the dirt
or you’re feeling sticky or whether bathing is done because you’re
feeling thirsty or your feeling hot, whatever reason it’s done for as
long as the person does not swallow water the fast does not get
invalidated. So bathing is permissible while fasting and there are
several Hadith to show that it’s permitted.
It’s mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 3, in the Book of Fasting,
Hadith No. 1926, that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) she says
that
“The Prophet he got up from his sleep in a sexually defiled state, in the
state of Junub, while he was fasting, and he took a bath and he
continued his fast.”
That means, bathing was obligatory here because he has intercourse
with his wife, so it is compulsory and he bathed.
Further if you read
Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. No. 2, in the Book of Fasting, Hadith No.
2359, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) he says that,
“He heard a man saying that when the Prophet had gone to Al Arj and
while he was fasting he poured water over his head, because he was
thirsty or he was feeling excessively hot.”
So even when you feel thirsty or you feel hot you are allowed to pour
water over your head or have a bath in the state of fasting.
Furthermore it’s mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 3, in the Book of
Fasting, Chapter No. 25,
“Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) he soaked his garment in
water and he wore it”
And the same chapter, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 3, in the Book of
Fasting, Chapter No. 25, it’s mentioned that
2

3. “Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) he says, he had a tub of water
in which he used to sit while he used to fast”
So all these Hadith show us that taking Ghusl, pouring water over your
head, whether it be for religious purpose, whether its Fardh, whether
it’s optional, Mubah, whether you’re feeling excessively hot, whether
you’re feeling dirty, whether you’re feeling thirsty, in the state of
fasting all these are permissible as long as you do not swallow water
while having a bath.
Yusuf Chambers: In the UK Ramadhaan is about to enter the period
of summer and I know later on we’ll be answering questions about
Ramadhaan entering summer. The next question relates to a person
that is swallowing his or her own Saliva during the fast, is this a
permitted act?
Dr. Zakir: As far as swallowing the Saliva is concerned it is a normal
act, it’s a natural act and today science tells us that there are several
liters of Saliva being secreted by the Salivary Gland everyday. And it is
normal; it’s natural that the Saliva, a human being gulps it down. He
swallows it and this can’t be avoided.
And Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Baqarah, Chapter No. 2, Verse
No. 185, when it tells you that you should fast for the full month of
Ramadhaan and those who are ill or on a journey they can make up it
later on, then it says Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) wants to make it easy
for you and does not want you to put in a difficulty.”
Allah says in Surah Hajj, Chapter No. 22, Verse No. 78,
“Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) does not want to give you hardship in your
Deen, in your religion.”
So but natural since swallowing Saliva is a normal act and I know that
some people keep on frequently spitting out and I have some of my
friends they do that thinking it’s Haraam to swallow and they keep on
spitting and imagine if you have to do it the full day, you cannot even
offer your Salaah properly. Because when you offer Salaah it takes a
few minutes and in few minutes also Saliva gets gathered so will you
be concentrating on spitting the Saliva or on Allah (Subhana wa
Ta’ala)? If you are reading the Qur’an, we’ll have to keep on spitting
outside always. And I know some people who always keep… may be a
container always spitting out not knowing the ruling.
3

4. So if a person swallows the saliva, normal saliva which comes in the
mouth, it cannot be avoided at all. Same way a person when he
breathes the dust, which a person goes to a city which is polluted and
there’s dust particles and you breathe that and some of it goes in your
lungs and it goes… So all this is permissible because this is a normal
day to day act and these do not violate your fast at all.
Yusuf Chambers: What about cleaning the mouth and the nose with
water whilst one feels just like refreshing the mouth or in the middle of
wudhu, is this a permitted act?
Dr. Zakir: As far as putting water in the mouth or gargling the mouth
with water or putting water in the nose, whether a person is feeling
hot, or whether while doing wudhu, it is permissible because it doesn’t
enter the body, as long as the water doesn’t enter the body, a person
does not swallow the water it’s permissible. And in wudhu gargling is a
requirement, putting water in the mouth is a requirement, but natural
doing wudhu is Fardh before offering Salaah and while Fasting you
have to offer Salaah and we have to do wudhu. So how can it be
prohibited? So when a person puts water in his mouth while gargling in
wudhu or otherwise he should be careful that he does not swallow the
water and when he puts it in to the nose, there are some people who
think it will break the fast based on a Hadith and that’s the reason
they only touch the water to the tip of the nose and they don’t put it
inside because in the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (Subhana wa
Ta’ala) and Muhammad (saw) said,
It’s mentioned in the Hadith of Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. No. 2, in the
Book of Fasting, Hadith No. 2360, that the Prophet said,
“Snuff water excessively while doing wudhu except while fasting.”
Yusuf Chambers: Aha…
Dr. Zakir: That means the Prophet recommended that you should
snuff, put the water excessively in your nose except while fasting,
indicating that if the water goes through the nose into the throat, into
the stomach it will break the fast. That doesn’t mean putting water in
the nose is prohibited.
So normally when you put water, it doesn’t go into your throat and
even if you snuff excessively always it doesn’t go, it can go. So it’s a
precaution the Prophet said that don’t snuff water excessively while
fasting. Otherwise you have to do that. So this Hadith also proves that
4

5. putting water in the nose it s permitted but you have to be careful you
should not snuff excessively so that it goes into the throat. Otherwise
the water goes into the throat and the stomach either via the mouth or
the nose it will break the fast. But unintentionally while doing wudhu
or while gargling if the water does enter InshaAllah, Allah will not hold
you responsible because it’s done unintentionally.
Yusuf Chambers: Ok… so it all goes back to the issue of intention,
pleasing Allah, seeking the face of Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala)
Now I’m aware in the previous series we’ve covered the next couple of
questions, however this topic wouldn’t be complete without some
answers to the following questions.
First one, if a person whose fasting eats or drinks during the fast
unintentionally does this break his or her fast?
Dr. Zakir: When a person drinks or eats unintentionally because of
forgetfulness it does not break the fast. And this normally happens
manly in the first few days of the month of Ramadhaan. A person is
used to his daily activity and suddenly Ramadhaan comes... so
unintentionally he may go to the kitchen or he may pick up a bottle of
water and pour it in the glass and have it. A person goes jogging and
comes back and is used to having water. So it does happen.
So based on the Hadith of Muhammad (saw) which is mentioned in
Sahih Bukhari, Vol No. 3, in the Book of Fasting, Hadith 1933, the
beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, that,
“Anyone who eats or drinks unintentionally he has to complete the fast
in the day, the fast is not broken and whatever he has eaten or drunk
Allah has provided him with that.”
So if you drink unintentionally the fast is not broken but if you drink
intentionally then it is broken. And while drinking if you realize or while
eating you realize, immediately you should stop because then if you
continue it will be counted as though you are having it intention.
Moment you realize you should stop it and if there’s some food in the
mouth and you realize you’re fasting you should spit it out. But
unintentionally whatever is done, it is forgiven.
Yusuf Chambers: What about in the case of a person that eats it and
then maybe 15, 20 minutes later suddenly realize, you know?...
5

6. sometimes that has happened to me. Aaa suddenly realized… Aahh..
SubhanAllah, I’ve eaten something.. what an idiot. Huh.. I’mean
what’s the?...
Dr. Zakir: Even the Hadith says that, that food and drink Allah has
provided you with that. So you have to thank Allah but it should be
unintentionally done and out of forgetfulness.
Yusuf Chambers: Yes.
Dr. Zakir: If it’s done intentionally, Allah knows your Niyyah
Yusuf Chambers: Yes.
Dr. Zakir: So… you can fool the people but not Allah (Subhana wa
Ta’ala).
Yusuf Chambers: JazakAllah Khair. Dr. Zakir somebody is overcome
by the sensation of nausea and they vomit during their fast, does this
nullify their fast? Is this something, can they resume their fast after
the vomit has come out.
Dr. Zakir: Vomiting can either be intentionally or it can be
unintentionally. And our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihe
wa sallam) said, it’s mentioned in a Sahih Hadith,
It’s mentioned in
Tirmidhi, in the Book of Fasting, Hadith No. 720, our beloved Prophet
said, that,
“A person who vomits unintentionally, he should complete his fast and
the fast is not broken, but the person who vomits intentionally, the
person who vomits intentionally, deliberately then the fast is broken
and he has to make up for the fast afterwards”
And the same Hadith is repeated in
Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. No. 2, in the Book of Fasting, Hadith No.
2374, where the beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, that,
“Anyone who vomits suddenly” same thing unintentionally “then he
does not have to atone for it. But if someone vomits intentionally,
deliberately, he has to atone for it. But the person who does it
deliberately”
6

7. For e.g by sticking a finger in his throat or by pressing the stomach or
deliberately smelling something which is nasty. Or looking at food
which will make him vomit and he continues that then it comes under
the category ‘deliberately done.’ So then his fast is broken he has to
make up for that. But if it comes unintentionally, no problem.. but
when the vomit comes he should not swallow the vomit after it has
reached the mouth. If he swallows the vomit after it reaches the
mouth it will nullify the fast. So when a vomit comes he should see
that the vomit is.. comes out. And if its unintentional it will not break
the fast.
Yusuf Chambers: Thanks for that.. that’s very comprehensive. Dr.
Zakir I feel that next question, of all the questions that we’ve got were
asked today would perhaps shock quite a few people.. The issue of a
man and his wife, perhaps sitting on a sofa or some other place of
comfort and the husband delivers a kiss on the wives face, lets say for
it.. or the lips of the wife, is this an action which nullifies the fast or is
permitted?
Dr. Zakir Naik: While fasting if a husband kisses the wife or hugs the
wife or shows his love for the wife by kissing on the cheek or the lip or
the hand or hugs or embraces all these things are permissible as long
as it does not encourage him to go into an act which is Haraam for
fasting. And this is very well stated in the Hadith of Muhammad (saw),
It’s mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 3, in the Book of Fasting,
Hadith No. 1927, that, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) she says
that
“The Prophet used to kiss and embrace his wives while fasting. But he
was the best amongst you to control himself.”
That means the Prophet had the power to control.
Similarly it’s mentioned in Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. No. 2 (Book of
Fasting), Hadith No. 2379, that,
“Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once while he’s fasting kisses
his wife, immediately he feels sorry and he goes to the Prophet and he
says that, “Oh Prophet I’ve sinned. I’ve sinned against you and Allah”
So Prophet says “What have you done?”, he says, “that while fasting
I’ve kissed my wife.” So the Prophet asks him, “that when you gargle
or rinse your mouth while doing wudhu, does your fast break?” So
7

8. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) he said, “No”. “So why
bother?.”
Indicating to him that you can kiss and embrace your wife.
Furthermore there’s a Hadith which is mentioned in
Musnad Ahmad, Vol. No. 2, Hadith No. 6739, one of the Sahaaba he
narrates that
“A young man comes to Prophet Muhammad (saw) and asks him that
“Can I kiss my wife while I’m fasting?” The Prophet says, “No” Later
on, an old man comes to the Prophet and asks him that, “Can I kiss
my wife while fasting?” And the Prophet said “Yes”. So the Sahaaba
look among themselves that how come the answer is deferring? Then
the Prophet replies that “This man can control himself”
So the basic ruling is that if a person knows that he can control himself
after kissing or hugging his wife and he’s sure that it will not lead into
an act which will nullify the fast, for example it will not lead into a
sexual intercourse, or will not lead into ejaculation, as long as he can
control himself... kissing and hugging is permitted if he cannot control
himself and he fears that he will go into the act which will nullify the
fast like intercourse or ejaculation then it is prohibited for him.
Yusuf Chambers: Hmm.. so the answer is yes but it comes with an
Islamic health warning.
Dr. Zakir: That’s’ right.
Yusuf Chambers: Ok... the next question which is not unrelated to
the last one. Can a man approach his wife during the month of
Ramadhaan in the evening... after the fast has ended?
Dr. Zakir: Previously when fasting became Fardh for the Muslims as
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2, Verse No. 185,
that,
“Ramadhaan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide
for humankind and giving you signs of guidance and judgment
between right and wrong”
And then it says that,
8

9. “So whoever witnesses this month, he should fast.”
So when it became Fardh for the Muslims initially, the full month of
Ramadhaan at that time it was the law that approaching your wives,
having a sexual intercourse with your wife for the full month of
Ramadhaan, whether it be day or night, it was prohibited.
And it’s mentioned in the Tafseer or Al Qurtubi, Vol. No. 2, Page No.
210 that,
“Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once he spends a lot of time
with the Prophet and leaves the Prophet at night and comes to his
house and when he reaches the house he has the urge to sleep with
his wife and he has intercourse. When he gets up in the morning, he’s
ashamed and he goes to the Prophet and says that I’ve sinned against
Allah and you. So the Prophet says, why? Because I slept with my
wife. My soul urged and went towards my wife and I slept with her and
had intercourse with her. Prophet said, “Did you really do that?”
Hadhrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, Yes. And Hadhrat
Umar says that “Can you find a pardon for me?” and then Prophet
Muhammad (saw) says, “No one besides Allah can pardon you. He’s
the only one who can show you the way”
And immediately the verse of Surah Baqarah, Chapter No. 2, Verse
No. 187 was revealed, it says that
“You can approach your wives during the nights of the fast”
“Hunna Libaasallakum Wa Antum Libaasallahunna”
“Because they are your garments and you are their garments”
And then the verse continues that,
“And Allah knows what you used to do secretly in the nights with your
wives but Allah has forgiven you and from now onwards you can
approach your wives and you can take what Allah gives you, the
offspring from then. And you can eat and drink till the white thread of
dawn is distinct from the black thread. And then you can fast until
sunset, until night falls.”
So when this verse was revealed, Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2, Verse
No. 187 then it became lawful for the Muslims to approach their wives
during the nights of the fast. So now, as far the present rule is that
9

10. you cannot approach your wives, have a sexual intercourse with them
during the day, right from the break of dawn. From the time of Fajr
Salaah upto sunset. But immediately after sunset upto just before the
break of dawn, your Fajr Salaah, you can approach your wife, and it’s
lawful and you can have relationship with them.
Yusuf Chambers: Wonderful.. well that was the reassurance as well,
because of course we covered that during the history of fasting.
Dr. Zakir: Right.
Yusuf Chambers: Amm.. However, it’s good to reasserted and I don’t
think any point can be labored in Islam really? Another question for
you is regarding a person who has a wet dream during the day whilst
he’s fasting, is this an act which would nullify the fast, is it permitted
for a person to have a wet dream during the day whilst he is fasting?
Dr. Zakir: If a person has a wet dream during the day while having a
fast, maybe he offers Fajr Salaah and he sleeps and he has a wet
dream, it is involuntary. A person has a wet dream, even if he
ejaculates, its involuntary, he’s not to be blamed for that. So in this
case, because it’s unintentional, surely it will not break the fast and he
can complete the fast and the thing that is advised to him is that he
should have a Ghusl, a bath, as soon as possible so that he can offer
the Salaah.
Yusuf Chambers: Ah.. that’s excellent, I think that’s self explanatory,
thank you for that. Another question, very much related to the last
question I feel. Is a person allowed to be in a state of sexual impurity
whilst they are fasting?
Dr. Zakir: As far as the question that can a person be in a state of
sexual impurity? That depends, if as long as he does not do any
Haraam act during the fast. For example,
It’s mentioned in the Hadith of Muhammad (saw) in
Sahih Muslim, Vol. No. 2, (Book of Fasting), Hadith No. 2453, it’s
mentioned that,
:Umme Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) who was the wife of
the Prophet she says, that the Prophet got up from his sleep in a state
of sexual defilement, state of sexual impurity while he was fasting and
he had a bath and he continued his fast.”
10

11. Further there’s a similar message given in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 3, in
the Book of Fasting, Hadith No. 1925, and the Hadith is narrated again
by Umme Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) and Hadhrat Aisha
(may Allah be pleased with her too) both were the wives of the
Prophet and they said that
“The Prophet used to get up in the morning in a state of sexual
defilement, because he had a intercourse with the wife, not because of
a sexual dream and he used to have a bath and he never used to
compensate the fast later on.”
This proves that being in the state of Junub, sexual defilement or
sexual impurity does not nullify the fast. Even if a person has a wet
dream in between, his fast is valid, the only point to be noted is that
the person should have a bath as soon as possible. If he gets up in the
morning after dawn breaks and if he’s in the state of sexual impurity,
should have bath immediately so that he can offer the Salaah of Fajr.
Or if he sleeps after Fajr Salaah and has a wet dream and then
becomes sexually impure so he should have a bath atleast before the
Zuhr Salaah so that he can offer the Zuhr Salaah after having the
Ghusl.
Yusuf Chambers: Ok.. I think that sheds some light on that issue..
Dr. Zakir: And the same thing, if a person is menstruating, if a lady if
she’s menstruating and she finishes the menstrual cycle just before
Fajr and she delays her bath even after Dawn has broken and she has
the bath just before the Fajr Salaah, that’s also valid.
Yusuf Chambers: Excellent. Next question relates to a women who’s
cooking during the fast, is she allowed to taste the food?
Dr. Zakir: As long as the person who’s cooking the food, whether it be
a gent cook or lady cook, there’s a Hadith in
Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 3, in the Book of Fasting, Chapter No. 25, it
says
“Ibn Abbas he narrated that tasting food from the pots or meals it
does not break the fast.”
This is a Mu’allaq Hadith of Bukhari, but it is connected along with
Sahih Ibn Shaiba’ and Bayhaqi and the chain goes on..it makes it
Sahih and it says that
11

12. “Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) he says that tasting
vinegar and food while fasting.”
So all these Hadith prove that while fasting a person can taste food but
you have to be careful. The food should not enter your throat, you
should not swallow the food and that’s the reason the scholars say that
if it’s required you should do it otherwise not. For example Imaam
Ahmad Ibn Hambal he says that tasting food is Maqrooh unless it is
necessity. Same with Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah he says that it is Maqrooh
unless it is necessity. And while it’s a necessity for women whose
cooking food she has to place the food on the tip of the tongue so that
she realizes whether the food is sweet or salty and then she should
spit it out. She should not swallow it. So that will not break her fast.
Or if a mother wants to give food to the baby and the only way she
can give is by chewing it, so she is permitted to chew the food and
then give it to the baby but care should be taken that they should not
swallow any particle of the food, she should spit it out.
So these are necessity where its permissible to taste food but
unnecessary, just because you are feeling hungry and you taste it, it’s
Maqrooh, though it will not break the fast. Maqrooh means
discouraged, it will not break the fast, but otherwise for necessity it
can be done but care should be taken it does not go down the throat,
it should not be swallowed, after tasting the food should be spat out.
Yusuf Chambers: Ok… I’m glad that you corrected me in a way and
said, we are not gender specific because ofcourse we know that men
do cook and they should be encouraged to do so as well.
Dr. Zakir, relating to the application of Al Kohl or black eye liner as we
know it is Sunnah, it is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw), (may
Allah bless him). Is it something which is permitted during the fast?
Dr. Zakir: As far as putting Al Kohl, in our country India it’s called as
Surma or a black eye liner,
It’s Sunnah of the Prophet and we get in the Hadith
(Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. No. 2, Book of Fasting, Hadith 2372) that
“Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) he used to always stay with the
Prophet, he used to cook his food also and he used to put this Al Kohl
and Prophet never prohibited him even when he put during fasting.”
12

13. So this proves that putting Kohl does not break the fast, its permitted
and even when you put any eye drops or ear drops, even if the ear
drops or eye drops after certain time you can feel the taste in the
throat, according to most of the scholars it does not invalidate the
fast, because that is not the normal passage of food. And eye drops,
these are medicines, they aren’t food and there are time that because
you know that.. I being a medical doctor, the ears, the nose and
throat, they’re connected, know as E.N.T. … E.N.T Ear, Nose and
Throat, so when you put eye drops, even the ear drops, you know
nasal drops; there are chances after sometime it may go into the
throat and you may feel the taste. If it’s a nasal drop you should throw
it out, but ear drops and I drops you feel the taste. According to most
of the scholars it does not break the fast, but there are some scholars
who say that if it reaches the throat it will nullify the fast. But the right
ruling is that because it’s not the normal passage for food and drink,
according to most of the scholars it does not nullify the fast. And if
someone who’s… has a doubt the best for him is, he delays putting
those nasal drops after the sunset, so he’s absolutely safe. But the
right ruling is that even if you put a nasal drop or ear drop it does not
break the fast.
Yusuf Chambers: Does the same apply for Attar, or perfume?
Dr. Zakir: You mean wearing perfume?
Yusuf Chambers: Yes wearing perfume, if instance your are going to
apply perfume, before or during the fast, is the ruling the same?
Dr. Zakir: If you wear a perfume and if you smell it there’s no
problem at all, smelling perfume is permitted. Any sort of perfume, as
long as it is not a incense smoke. You know the smoke sticks? Or the
smoke that comes.. smelling that excessively it may go in the nose, it
may go in the stomach and particles may go, so that is… Bukhoor
Yusuf Chambers: Bukhoor.. Aah…
Dr. Zakir: So that is what you should be careful of.. you know,
otherwise smelling perfume, it’s permitted it will not break the fast.
Yusuf Chambers: Next question is regarding injections, is it
permitted during the fast?
Dr. Zakir: As far as injections are concerned, there are different types
of injections. It can be intravenous injection, it can be intra muscular
13

14. injection, it can be Subsequent injection. But the injections can broadly
be classified in two types. One type of injection which gives a person a
nourishment, which is equivalent to giving food.
For example if you take an intravenous glucose, the people who have
excessive dehydration etc, and cannot take food by the mouth. So the
normally the medical treatment is giving intravenous glucose, this is
sort of nourishment, it is equivalent to giving food, this will break the
fast. But if it’s not a nourishment, if it’s only a medical treatment like
insulin, it can be subcutaneously or it is penicillin all these medical
treatments which are not nourishment to the body, are not some what
like food these can be given during the day time and the fast will not
break. Though there are some scholars who say that it’s Maqrooh or
discouraged. It’s preferable if it’s taken after the sunset, but the right
ruling is that it does not break the fast because it’s not any sought of
food.
Yusuf Chambers: Ok.. in terms of medical treatments, aaa…whilst
one is fasting such as nasal drops, sublingual tablets to be used under
the tongue or medical investigations where things are inserted into
your body, are these things permitted during the fast?
Dr. Zakir: There are a variety of treatments and investigations.. the
list is long, we can have a full episode on this, time will not permit us
to discuss all this, I’ll just mention a few which come to my mind. As
far as sublingual tablets are concerned they are normally taken for
angina, person has a heart problem he takes it, this sublingual tablet
is kept beneath the tongue, it is not supposed to be swallowed and it is
not a sort of a food or nourishment, it gets absorbed and the
treatment is done, so because of this ruling it does not break the fast.
You should not swallow the tablet, it goes subcutaneously, it gets
absorbed without going to the throat.
If you use nasal drops, as long as the nasal drops does not go into the
throat and into the stomach, it’s permitted. If you put ear drops, also
it’s permitted as I mentioned earlier or if you syringe the ear, even
that’s permitted.
As far as investigations are concerned if you do a per-vaginal
investigation, whether you insert a finger or you insert an instrument,
it’s permitted. Or for treatment if you insert a vaginal pessary or you
insert a Douche or any instruments it’s permitted. If you insert an
instrument in the uterus or any device known as IUD, Intra Uterine
Device or you insert a Catheter for investigation or a scope, all these
14

15. are permitted. Even if you insert in the urinary tract, that is the
urethra, a Catheter or inject a dye for doing an investigation it does
not break the fast.
Similarly if you take any injections as I mentioned earlier,
subcutaneous or intravenous or intramuscular, as long as it is not a
nourishment for the body, it’s not nutrient for the body, it doesn’t
substitute the food, it’s permitted. If its substitute it breaks the fast.
Furthermore if you take out a little bit of blood from the body for
testing that doesn’t break the fast also. And if you apply certain
creams, may be cream or lotion or medical ointment on the skin and it
gets absorbed by the skin, this too does not break the fast and it is
perfectly permitted.
And if you take other treatments, like for example, if you do a
laparoscopy in which there is a small insertion made on the abdomen
and insert a scope, whether for investigation or whether for treatment
or for a surgery it’s permitted. If you do a Gastroscopy, insert a scope
into the stomach, as long as you do not put in some fluids or some
nourishment, it’s permitted for investigation. If you put an instrument
in the spinal cord to examine the spinal cord or to see how the brain’s
functioning all these are permitted. If you do Anima even that’s
permitted and you can go on and on as long as the basic rule is that it
should not enter the body through the mouth or through the nose or
it’s should not be a nourishment, otherwise if it enters any other part
of the body, any instrument, whether it be the urethra, whether it be
the uterus, whether it be the vagina all these things as a basic rule it
does not break the fast because it is not giving food to the body and
this is not the normal passage for food for the body. All these are
permitted.
Yusuf Chambers: I think the fact that these are the things are
permitted will put a lot of peoples minds at rest…
Dr. Zakir: That’s right..
Yusuf Chambers: During this coming Ramadhaan and Ramadhaan’s
to come InshaAllah.
Dr. Zakir: InshaAllah.
Yusuf Chambers: Dr. Zakir what is the ruling regarding issues of
doubt, when one has doubts or the concerns they have over the things
15

16. they may be doing during the fast. What should one do? How can we
apply a golden set of rules to the doubt.
Dr. Zakir: As far as when a person has a doubt, the act he’s doing is it
permissible or not? Or if he has a doubt that it will break the fast, the
best is, when in doubt leave it out.
When a doubt comes the best is to abstain from it lest it may have
been prohibited. If it’s a doubt and if you don’t do it then it will not be
a sin. So it’s preferable to stay away from it, but the best golden rule
is,
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Nahl, Chapter No. 16, Verse No. 43,
as well as Surah Ambiya’, Chapter No. 21, Verse No. 7,
“Fas’alu Ahlaz Zikri Inkuntum La Ta’lamun”
“If you don’t know ask the person who has the message”
Ask the person who’s knowledgeable, go and ask a scholar and he will
guide you whether it’s permissible or not, that’s the best. But till that
time when in doubt, leave it out is the best policy.
Yusuf Chambers: Good advice. If a person in a situation where one
fuels, composed, or forced into breaking the fast or when one breaks it
out of ignorance of a ruling, is it permissible, that this person should
be breaking their fast in such conditions?
Dr. Zakir: As a rule, whether the fast breaks or not, or is it
permissible, if someone is forced to break it out of ignorance, out of
mistake.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Nahl, Chapter No. 16, Verse No. 106,
that,
“After you have believed and then if you go to unbelief unless it is out
of compulsion…”
That means even if you do Shirk out of compulsion, as long as in your
heart there is Taqwa, fear of Allah, then it’s permissible. So if someone
forces you something which is not allowed and breaks the fast then
you’re not responsible for the fast.
16

17. As far as the general ruling is concerned, our beloved Prophet
Muhammad (saw), he said, it’s mentioned in (Sahih) Ibn Maajah,
Volume No. 3, (Book of Divorce) Hadith No. 2043 as well as 2045, he
said that,
“Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) has excused my Ummah from mistakes,
from forgetfulness and from that which is forced on them.”
So besides force even if it’s a mistake or if it is due to forgetfulness
Allah excuses that and that’s mentioned in the
Qur’an in Surah Ahzaab, Chapter No. 33, Verse No. 5 that,
“If you do it out of mistake and don’t intend doing it then Allah will
forgive you”
And Allah also mentions in Surah Baqarah, Chapter No. 2, Verse No.
286, where we pray to Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala),
“Our Lord, please do not hold us responsible for our mistakes and
forgetfulness”
So basically the things that break the fast whether it be eating,
drinking, intercourse etc all these, there are four criteria to be looked
into.
If it’s done by force, under compulsion then you’re not responsible. If
someone forces something on you aren’t responsible. Intentionally,
Allah won’t hold responsible.
Number two, if it is done out of mistake, for example a person, he has
Suhur and he thinks yet dawn hasn’t come and he continues eating,
it’s a mistake.. moment he realizes he stops eating. So that’s a
mistake which Allah will forgive
Or someone does something out of forgetfulness, like a person eats or
drinks water while fasting unintentionally or of forgetfulness then Allah
forgives you and the fast is yet valid.
And the fourth thing is that if he does out of ignorance, because he
was not aware of it, for example if a person doesn’t know that
vomiting deliberately, vomiting intentionally breaks the fast and
because he has uneasiness and he puts a finger in his throat and
17

18. vomits out then it is out of ignorance of the ruling, even that Allah will
forgive InshaAllah.
So these four categories, because Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) does not
want to overburden us and our Prophet said that if these are the case
out of ignorance, out of mistake, out of forgetfulness, if someone does
under compulsion all these things Insha Allah, Allah will forgive you
and that’s the mercy of Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala).
Yusuf Chambers: Indeed, Dr. Zakir it’s clear to me and I’m sure it’s
clear to the viewers that Allah’s mercy overcomes his wrath. Allahu
Akbar, SubhanAllah.
Well we’ve come to the end of the interview stage now I’d like to turn
to our viewer’s questions….
Dr. Zakir: Insha Allah.
Yusuf Chambers: On the topic..
Dr. Zakir: InshaAllah.
Yusuf Chambers: So without further ado, have a question from our
viewers. If a person is suffering from Asthma, emm can he or she
utilize using treatments like oxygen vaporizers and other oral tablets?
Dr. Zakir: As far as a person who’s taking treatment for Asthma,
there’re different types of treatment taken for person suffering from
Asthma, it can be puffers, it can be oxygen, it can be vaporizers, it can
be tablets and capsules, in short when a person uses a puffer the gas
goes by force into the lungs, expands the lungs and in no way does it
break the fast because its mere gas going to the lungs, its not a food,
it doesn’t go into the stomach and its only gas so this does not break
the fast if a person uses a puffer.
As far as oxygen is concerned that too its inhaled goes in the lungs
comes out, so oxygen per se also does not break the fast, does not
invalidate the fast.
But as far as vaporizers are concerned, vaporizers can be of different
types, can be in form of liquid, can be gaseous, in form or particles
and this medicine is put in a container and once the button is pressed
the pressure which comes and by pressure it enters into the lungs and
it may be through a nozzle, can be through a mask, but when it enters
18

19. the lungs there are high chances there are particles which may even
go into the stomach. So that’s the reason most of the scholar say that
vaporizers as a treatment for Asthma, it will break the fast.
As far as capsules are concerned, the capsules, they contain the
medicine in a form of a powder, it has a covering. Once you put in the
container and when the pressure is released, it comes out by force but
this too can enter the stomach, the particles. So even using these
capsules as the treatment of Asthma it will surely break the fast. So
only two things which are permitted as far as a person suffering from
the disease of Asthma is puffers and oxygen, this will not break the
fast.
Yusuf Chambers: Now the question from one of our viewer, is it
permissible to use toothpaste while fasting?
Dr. Zakir: As far as using toothpaste is concerned, most of the
scholars say that using toothpaste is permissible; including Shaikh Bin
Baaz (may Allah have mercy of him). He says that using toothpaste
along with tooth brush is like using Siwaak, and the Prophet has never
prohibited using Siwaak, it’s perfectly alright, it doesn’t break the fast.
But it should be careful that you should not swallow any of it? So
swallowing any part of toothpaste is forbidden, that’s the reason some
scholar said Maqrooh thinking, Oh if someone has toothpaste that has
a strong taste and if someone swallows so that’s the reason some said
its discouraged, but the right ruling is that as long as they are careful
that you don’t swallow any part of it you can use a toothpaste and a
toothbrush it does not nullify your fast.
Yusuf Chambers: Ok.. Excellent. Next question from the viewers.
Should a person spit having rinsed or washed his mouth out generally
or after making Wudhu?
Dr. Zakir: Normally when people fast there are some people who
think that after you gargle your mouth with water or rinse your mouth
with water then they should spit out because you know may be some
water will be swallowed. But the general ruling is that most of the
scholars agree that once you gargle the mouth and after expulsion of
the water from the mouth there’s no need to spit, it’s not a
requirement. And even those few scholars who say we should spit, it’s
only once. But there are some people who spit several times, some
people even take a cloth and they dry their mouth.. you know? After
gargling.. thinking that the water will ..you know? Go into the stomach
which is absurd because normally when we see and we read the
19

20. Seerah of the Prophet and the lifestyle of the Sahabaas, many a times
when they drank water just before Fajr, before beginning the fast,
when they heard the Fajr Adhaan, they stopped drinking. But we have
never heard of any Sahaaba spitting out after drinking water. If you
have to spit while gargling the people when they have water just
before starting the fast, at the end of the Suhoor, when they hear the
Adhaan surely some Hadith would have said that the Sahaaba they
spat, you know so that the water doesn’t go into.. which is not seen
and while doing Wudhu when you gargle the mouth, rinse the mouth
and you expel the water that’s it. Even if you want to spit maximum, I
think once is sufficient. You can go beyond that spitting several times
and you know taking a cloth and drying your mouth. Everything else
that remains can be counted as part of the Saliva. There’s no problem
at all. You can’t make life difficult for you.
Yusuf Chambers: It’s good to know that...actually it would make life
very difficult when one was fasting if we had to do that. Thank you
very much Dr. Zakir. Indeed Dr. Zakir Naik we have reached the end
of the show and I must say that I am surprised the number of acts
which are permitted. You know its often the case that you feel when
you’re mixing with the brothers and sisters, Islam is all about
No..No..No. It’s actually about Yes..Yes..Yes.
Dr. Zakir Naik: Alhumdulillah.
Yusuf Chambers: I’m so….
Dr. Zakir Naik: Only few know’s No’s.
Yusuf Chambers: A few know No’s… Ha ha. But Alhumdulillah its
being enlightening and very enjoyable as well, I must say…
Brothers and Sisters I’m sure that you will agree with me and I
request you once again to encourage your friends even if they are
brothers and sisters in humanity as supposed to in Islam to join us
tomorrow at the same time when we will be discussing Acts
recommended and discourages whilst fasting.
So do join us Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
20

21. 21