Fasting invalidators
Knowing what invalidates or does not invalidate the fast is essential to fulfill this pillar with serenity and certainty. Many questions and doubts arise during Ramadan, and it is important to rely on authentic texts and the opinion of scholars to distinguish true from false.
Learning objectives
- Clearly identify what invalidates the fast according to the Quran and Sunnah
- Understand cases where the fast remains valid despite appearances
- Know scholars' positions on modern questions (medications, medical care)
- Know what to do if the fast is invalidated: make-up, repentance
- Avoid excessive scruples and frequent confusions
General principles
The basic rule in Islam is that any act of worship is valid as long as there is no clear proof of its invalidation. This means the fast remains valid by default, unless a Quranic or Sunnah text, or scholarly consensus, indicates it is broken.
Allah is Merciful and does not seek to trap His servants. He has established clear rules for fasting, and everything not explicitly mentioned as invalidating does not invalidate it. This approach allows the Muslim to fast with peace of mind, without falling into waswas (devilish suggestions) that lead to constant doubt.
Key points to remember
- •Fast is valid by default, unless there is clear proof of invalidation
- •Allah does not seek to trap His servants — rules are clear
- •Avoid waswas (excessive doubts) that disturb the fast
- •In case of divergence, follow a trusted scholar's opinion
- •Prefer ease in matters where there is no explicit text
What invalidates the fast by scholarly consensus
Scholars unanimously agree on several things that certainly invalidate the fast. The first is eating or drinking voluntarily. The second is conjugal relations. This also requires an expiation (kaffarah): fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people. The third is voluntary vomiting. If a person makes themselves vomit deliberately, their fast is invalidated. However, if vomiting is involuntary (due to illness), the fast remains valid. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not need to make it up, but whoever vomits deliberately must make it up.»
Menstruation (hayd) and postnatal bleeding (nifas) also invalidate the fast for women.
Key points to remember
- •Eating or drinking voluntarily invalidates the fast (consensus)
- •Conjugal relations invalidate the fast and require expiation (kaffarah)
- •Voluntary vomiting invalidates, involuntary does not
- •Menstruation and postnatal bleeding invalidate for women
- •Apostasy invalidates the fast and all deeds
Common cases that do NOT invalidate the fast
Many Muslims have doubts about daily situations. If a person eats or drinks by forgetfulness, their fast remains valid. The Prophet ﷺ said: «Whoever eats or drinks by forgetfulness while fasting, let them continue their fast, for it is Allah who fed and watered them.»
Bathing, showering, or swimming do not break the fast, as long as water does not voluntarily enter the throat or stomach. The Prophet ﷺ poured water over his head while fasting. Perfume, deodorant, or applying oil to the skin do not invalidate the fast.
Brushing teeth is permitted, but swallowing water or toothpaste must be avoided. Taking blood for a medical test, or donating blood, does not invalidate the fast according to the majority view of contemporary scholars.
Key points to remember
- •Eating or drinking by forgetfulness does not invalidate
- •Bathing, showering, swimming: no invalidation (without swallowing water)
- •Perfume, deodorant, applying oil: no invalidation
- •Tooth brushing permitted with caution, siwak recommended
- •Involuntary swallowing of dust, smoke, insect: no invalidation
- •Tasting without swallowing: permitted
- •Blood draw, blood donation: no invalidation per majority view
Medications and medical care: simplified rules
The general rule is that whatever enters the stomach through the mouth (normal alimentary route) may potentially invalidate the fast, while what enters through other routes is generally permitted.
Injections (shots) do not break the fast according to the majority contemporary scholarly view, whether subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous, as long as they are not nutritive. Eye drops and ear drops do not invalidate the fast. Inhalers for asthma are permitted according to many contemporary scholars.
Creams, ointments, and patches applied to the skin do not break the fast, as they do not enter the stomach.
Key points to remember
- •General rule: what enters through the mouth to the stomach may invalidate
- •Non-nutritive medication injections: no invalidation
- •Nutritive infusions (glucose, serum): divergence, caution recommended
- •Eye drops, ear drops: no invalidation per majority view
- •Asthma inhalers: permitted according to many scholars
- •Suppositories, enemas: divergence, follow a trusted scholar
- •Creams, ointments, patches: no invalidation
What to do if the fast is invalidated?
If the fast is voluntarily invalidated, the person must sincerely repent to Allah, then make up (qada') that day after Ramadan. If the invalidation is due to conjugal relations, an expiation (kaffarah) is also obligatory.
If the invalidation is involuntary (by forgetfulness, or by error about the time of maghrib), there is no sin and possibly only a make-up day, depending on scholarly views. If a person ate or drank thinking the sun had set when it had not, they must stop immediately. Their fast remains valid according to many scholars, as the error is excusable.
Key points to remember
- •Voluntary invalidation: sincere repentance obligatory
- •Make-up (qada') of the day after Ramadan obligatory
- •Conjugal relations: expiation (kaffarah) in addition to make-up
- •Involuntary invalidation (forgetfulness): no sin, divergence on make-up
- •Error about maghrib time: stop immediately, fast valid per some scholars
- •Do not be overwhelmed by guilt — Allah is Forgiving
References (Dalil)
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 187
"And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread. Then complete the fast until the night."
Hadith reported by At-Tirmidhi — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not need to make it up, but whoever vomits deliberately must make it up."
Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Whoever eats or drinks by forgetfulness while fasting, let them continue their fast, for it is Allah who fed and watered them."
Hadith reported by Abu Dawud — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"The Prophet ﷺ poured water over his head while fasting."
Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari — Exact reference and attribution to be confirmed.
"Were it not that I feared making it difficult for my community, I would have ordered them to use the siwak before every prayer."
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185
"Whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days."