Ramadan Fasting Rules: What Breaks & Doesn’t Break the Fast

Eating or Drinking Intentionally

Consuming anything edible or drinkable through the mouth or nose intentionally breaks the fast. This includes:

• Food or water
• Nutritional supplements or medicine
• Smoking of any kind

If a person eats or drinks by mistake or forgetfulness, the fast remains valid, as confirmed by the hadith:

“Whoever forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6669, Sahih Muslim 1155)

Sexual Intercourse

Engaging in sexual intercourse during fasting hours breaks the fast completely and is considered one of the most serious violations. It requires:

• Qada (making up the fast), and
• Kaffarah (either fasting 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people)

This ruling is based on the well-known hadith where the Prophet ﷺ prescribed expiation for this act.

Ejaculation Due to Desire

If a person deliberately causes ejaculation through physical desire—such as:

• Kissing
• Touching
• Embracing

…the fast is broken and Qada is required.

Kaffarah is not required unless sexual intercourse occurs.

If ejaculation happens involuntarily, such as during a wet dream, the fast remains valid.

Menstruation or Postnatal Bleeding

If menstruation (hayd) or postnatal bleeding (nifas) begins, the fast becomes invalid immediately—even if it starts moments before sunset. The missed fasts must be made up later.

This is established by the statement of the Prophet ﷺ regarding menstruation and fasting.

“Is it not true that when she menstruates, she does not pray or fast?” (Sahih al-Bukhari 304, Sahih Muslim 79)

Deliberate Vomiting

If a person forces themselves to vomit, the fast is broken and must be made up later. But if vomiting occurs naturally or involuntarily, the fast is still valid.

This ruling is based on the hadith:

“Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits deliberately must make it up.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 2380; classified as hasan by Al-Albani)

Apostasy (Leaving Islam)

If a person renounces Islam (riddah), the fast becomes invalid. Faith is a condition for the validity of fasting and all acts of worship, as agreed upon by all four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

Eating or Drinking by Mistake

If a person eats or drinks forgetfully, the fast remains valid.

This is based on the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:

“Whoever forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it was Allah who fed him and gave him drink.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6669, Sahih Muslim 1155)

Using Miswak, Toothbrush, or Mouthwash

• Using miswak is fully permitted during fasting, even throughout the day.
• Brushing teeth is allowed if nothing is swallowed.
• Scholars differ on toothpaste, but the majority permit it with caution.
• Mouthwash may be used sparingly, but excessive rinsing is discouraged to prevent accidental swallowing.

Taking a Bath or Shower

• Bathing, swimming, or rinsing the body is allowed and does not affect the fast.
• Even if water enters the ears or nose unintentionally, the fast remains valid.
• Deliberate rinsing of the nose or mouth should be done carefully.

Eye Drops or Ear Drops

• According to most scholars, eye drops and ear drops do not break the fast, as they do not reach the stomach through a valid cavity.
• Nose drops, however, are discouraged unless necessary, as they may reach the throat or stomach.

Medical Injections (Non-Nutritional)

• Non-nutritional injections — such as insulin, vaccines, or local anesthesia — do not invalidate the fast.
• IV fluids or nutritional injections (providing energy or hydration) do break the fast, as they serve as nourishment.

Waking Up in Janabah (State of Major Impurity)

If a person wakes up in Janabah (e.g., due to a wet dream or sexual activity before Fajr), their fast remains valid.

• Ghusl (full-body ritual purification) should be performed before or after Fajr, but the fast is not affected.

This ruling is supported by the actions of the Prophet ﷺ as narrated by Aisha (RA):

“The Prophet would wake up in the morning in a state of Janabah, not from a dream, and would fast. (Sahih Muslim 1109)

Excessive Mouth Rinsing or Nose Cleaning

While rinsing the mouth and nose is part of wudu (ablution), doing so excessively while fasting is discouraged. There’s a risk of water entering the throat, which would break the fast.

The Prophet ﷺ instructed:

“Exaggerate in rinsing the nose unless you are fasting.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 142, graded sahih)

Tasting Food Without Need

Tasting food without necessity — especially if there’s a chance it may reach the throat — is Makruh.

If required (e.g., tasting salt or spice for a child’s meal), it should be:

• Done cautiously
• Nothing swallowed

Even when permissible, this should be avoided unless truly needed.

Uncontrolled Anger, Arguing, or Swearing

Verbal disputes, foul language, and losing one’s temper go against the spiritual goals of fasting.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“If someone insults him or fights him, let him say: I am fasting.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1894, Sahih Muslim 1151)

Maintaining emotional control and avoiding conflict preserves the essence of fasting.

Laziness or Oversleeping All Day

Fasting is not just abstaining from food but a time for active worship — including salah (prayer), dhikr (remembrance), and Qur’an recitation.

• Sleeping through the entire day or neglecting obligatory acts of worship diminishes the reward.
• Scholars emphasize the importance of productivity and spiritual effort during fasting.

Smoking

Smoking breaks the fast and is haram during fasting hours.

This includes:

• Cigarettes
• Hookah
• Vaping

Some people mistakenly think vaping or smoking in secret is allowed — but all forms of inhaled smoking are considered to invalidate the fast by scholarly consensus.

Children (Below Puberty)

Fasting is not obligatory for children who have not yet reached puberty.

• Parents are encouraged to train them gradually in fasting once they reach an age of understanding.
• This builds spiritual discipline while keeping their health in consideration.

Elderly Who Cannot Fast

Elderly people who are physically unable to fast due to:

• Old age
• Chronic weakness

…are exempt and do not need to make up missed fasts.

• They should pay fidya: feeding one poor person per missed fast, if financially able.

This is based on the Qur’anic verse:

“…And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship]—a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

Chronically Ill Individuals

People with permanent or long-term illnesses that make fasting harmful are exempt.

• They are not required to fast or make it up.
• Instead, they must pay fidya for each missed day — if they have the means.

Examples include:

• Diabetes with risk of complications..
• Kidney failure.
• Heart conditions requiring medication or food intake during the day.

Sick or Temporarily Ill

Someone with a temporary illness (fever, infection, flu, etc.) may:

• Skip the fast during sickness
• Make it up later once they recover

This is supported by the verse:

“But if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number [should be made up] from other days.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

If a woman fears harm to herself or her child, she may:

• Delay fasting during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Make up the missed fasts later when able

Some scholars also permit fidya in recurring or long-term cases (e.g., back-to-back pregnancies), but the majority view is that Qada is required.

Menstruating and Postnatal Women

Fasting during menstruation (hayd) and postnatal bleeding (nifas) is not valid.

• Women must not fast during these periods
• They are required to make up the missed days after Ramadan

This is based on the hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Is it not the case that when she menstruates, she does not pray or fast?” (Sahih al-Bukhari 304, Sahih Muslim 79)

Travelers

A Muslim who is traveling during Ramadan may choose not to fast and make it up later.

• The journey should meet the Islamic legal distance (approx. 78–82 km / 48–51 miles).
• This ruling applies even if travel is easy and comfortable.

The Prophet ﷺ himself fasted and broke his fast while traveling, showing that both are allowed depending on the situation. (Sahih Muslim 1114)