Things Permitted During Fast
Although fasting entails restriction and abstinence there are
certain things that are permitted for the faster to do. They in-
clude:
Bathing (Al-Ghusul), provided extra caution is taken to pre-
vent water being swallowed by the mouth or nose.
‘Aishah (raa) reported that:
“The Messenger of Allah (saas) used to wake up defiled
with semen while fasting, then he took his bath.” (Buk-
hari and Muslim)
In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been seen
pouring water on his head while he was fasting to minimize the
thirst and heat.
These two reports prove that bathing are lawful during the fast,
regardless of the reason, whether to cool the body or for
cleanliness. Ibn ‘Umar (raa) has been reported to have wet a
cloth and covered his body with it. Anas bin Malik (raa) used
to have a pool and he used to jump into it to cool his body.
Al-Kuhl, coloring the eyelids, or using eye drops, such as “Vi-
sine”, is permitted whether the solution reaches the throat or
not, the reason being the eyes are not the regular passage for
food or nourishment. The strength of this case lies on the report
by Anas bin Malik, (raa), who was the Messenger’s cook for
life. Anas used to color his eyes with kuhl while fasting.
Being in the company of the Prophet (saas) for that long, while
coloring the eyes, the Prophet would have seen him and cor-
rected him if it was wrong. So is the case with ear drops or any
medicine being applied on open wounds, whether the person
feels it in the throat or not, because these things are not food or
drink, nor are they substitutes. The above is the understanding
of many scholars, including Imams Shafi’e, Abu Hanifah and
Sheikh Ibn ‘Taymiyyah (raa)
Kissing (Qublah) for faster who can control himself, for mar-
ried couples, expressing affection toward each other by kissing
is inevitable. It may take place any time, day or night. To deny
or prohibit this feeling during Ramadan would undoubtedly
lead to some hardship. Therefore, the Lawgiver permitted a
man to kiss his spouse on the cheek, hand, or mouth or hold
hand and embrace, if he feels like it and can control his feel-
ings. The Messenger’s wife Aishah (raa) reported:
“The Messenger (saas) used to kiss while fasting and to
embrace while fasting, but he was the most able person
to control his desire.” (Tirmidhi, Bukhari, Muslim)
In another report by ‘Umar (raa), he stated:
“I felt the urge one day during fast, so I kissed (my
wife). After realizing what I had done, I went to the
Messenger of Allah (saas) and informed him that I had
committed a great sin by kissing while fasting. The Mes-
senger responded: ‘Do you break fast if you rinse your
mouth with water?’ Umar said, ‘No, nothing is wrong
with rinsing.’ Then, the Messenger said, ‘Why
bother?'” (Ahmed/Abu-Dawuud)
Inferring from this hadith, many scholars among the compan-
ions see nothing wrong with kissing, provided the believer can
control his feelings. If he cannot control himself, kissing be-
comes haraam (unlawful) because it leads to unlawful acts.
This general rule is known in Islamic jurisprudence as saduz
zaree’ah (closing the door that may lead to unlawful acts). The
fear of getting carried away leads some scholars to say kissing
is undesirable (makruuh) and one better not do it for fear of
ejaculation.
Rinsing Mouth (Madmadah) Is one of the procedures of ablu-
tion (wudu). Therefore, the faster is permitted to rinse his
mouth and cleanse his nose by sniffing in water and blowing it
out. However, during fasting the process should be applied
lightly for fear of swallowing water. The Messenger of Allah
(saas) said:
“…If you sniff water through your nose do it thoroughly
unless you are fasting.” (Abu Dawuud)
This hadith indicates two things: the faster who is making
wudu or just wants to rinse his mouth should do it with utmost
caution least he may swallow the water and invalidate his fast.
The hadith is a proof that the nose is a regular passage, like the
mouth, of nourishment and as such takes it rules. Thus, if water
passes through the mouth or nose to the stomach, the fast is in-
validated. Not so with the eyes or ears.
But what if, during rinsing, you swallow water? Does that
break the fast? If water reaches the throat unintentionally, or
without negligence on your parts, the fast is still valid, but if
water is swallowed intentionally, the fast is nullified.