5 Things That Do Not Break Your Fast

Photo: Farhan Zahin

People in our region have a lot of misconceptions about what breaks the fast and what does not. After going through some fatwas and advice given by Islamic scholars from around the world, we have come up with 5 things that we originally believed to break one's fast but in actuality don't.

1. Eye drops/Ear drops- According to many fatwa's by Islamic scholars including Shaykh Ibn Al-Uthaymeen and Ibn Taymiyyah; anything that does not enter your blood stream or is not orally consumed will not break your fast. Eye drops and ear drops are perfectly safe to use while you are fasting

2. Blood test- According to fatwa given by Shaykh Ibn Al-Uthaymeen, undergoing a blood test will not break one's fast. Blood transfusion, on the other hand, is said to break you fast considering that it provides nourishment into your blood system.

3. Brushing your teeth- Using toothpaste or mouthwash will not break your fast, as long as you ensure that it does not reach your throat (which is quite simple to do), according to fatwa by Shaykh Ibn Al- Uthaymeen, Shaykh Ibn Bas and Shaykh Al- Fawzan.

4. Using make-up/perfume- Applying make-up on one's face or using perfume or deodorant will not break or invalidate the fast as nothing is entering the blood stream or your throat. This fatwa has also been given by Shaykh Ibn Al-Uthaymeen.

5. Tasting food- Contrary to popular belief, if you make sure to spit it out before it reaches your throat, tasting food during cooking or preparing iftaar, is not prohibited or will not break your fast, also according to a fatwa given by Shaykh Ibn Al-Uthaymeen.

Shaykh Ibn Al- Uthaymeen (March 9, 1925 – January 10, 2001) was a Sunni scholar of Saudi Arabia who was considered "a giant within conservative Salafi Islam."