Does an operation break the fast

One of our friends faced an emergency had to be operated up on immediately.  Does fast break with operation?


The basic thing to be remembered here is that if something enters the body, the fast is invalidated (Fasid).  If something is removed from the body, then the fast is not invalidated.  It is given in Sahih Bukhari:

Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) said: Fast is invalidated when something enters the body, not when something is removed.  (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadith No. 1937)

A similar Hadith is also narrated from Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her) in Majma Uz Zawaaid, Vol. 3, Hadith No. 4970.

If something is removed in the operation, the fast is not invalidated.  The tools and equipment for operation even though it enters the body, they are subsequently removed.  The fast is not invalidated with this.  However, if something else is placed in the body, like a transplant or some medicine in liquid or other form, then the fast is invalidated.  In this case, only the Qaza of the fast becomes compulsory, i.e. in lieu of this fast, another fast has to be kept.  If something is kept directly in the stomach, then along with Qaza, Kaffara (expiation) also becomes compulsory (Wajib).

The anesthetic given before operation does not, as per the opinion of the doctors, does not affect the stomach, brain or enter the blood vessels and it is not a medicine or food per se, so the fast is not invalidated because of this.  If during the operation, some other form of medicine is given, which enters the stomach, affects the brain or enters the blood vessels, then the fast is invalidated.  As given in Khulasatul Fatawa, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 253.

And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,

[Associate Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder/Director Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]