Those things which are permissible in a fast

Those 3 things which don’t invalidate the fast

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  There are 3 things which don’t invalidate the fast of a fasting person.  One is bloodletting while fasting, the second is vomiting (which happens on its own) and the third is wet dreams.

 

Tirmidhi has related this Hadith.

 

Does vomiting invalidate the fast?

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  If any person is overwhelmed by vomiting (i.e. vomits unintentionally), then there is no making up (Qadha) of that fast (because vomiting unintentionally does not invalidate the fast).

 

On the other hand, if someone vomits deliberately, then the making up of that fast is Compulsory (Wajib), because deliberately vomiting invalidates the fast.

 

This has been narrated by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Daarimi and by Hakim in his Mustadrak and has written that this Hadith is fairly- authenticated (Sahih) as per the standards of Bukhari and Muslim, even though Bukhari and Muslim have not related this Hadith….

 

It is mentioned in Mirqaat that if vomit comes above the level of the throat and that person again swallows it back, then the fast will be invalidated.  Similarly, if water enters the stomach while washing the face (i.e. though the throat), then the fast will be invalidated.

 

Can we use Miswak while fasting?

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  One of the best things for a fasting person to do is to use Miswak while fasting at all hours of the day.  This has been narrated by Ibn Majah, Daaraqutni and Baihaqui.

 

Can we use Kohl while fasting?

 

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says:  A Companion came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and said:  I have some problem with my eyes.  Can I use kohl while fasting?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Yes.  Kohl can be used while fasting?

 

Can we pour water on the head while fasting?

 

It is narrated on the authority of a Companion of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), he says:  I saw the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) at ‘Arj that He was pouring water on His blessed head while fasting, out of (extreme) thirst or heat.

 

This has been narrated by Imam Malik and Abu Dawood.

 

The pouring of the water on the head out of thirst or heat is intended as a permission so as to create ease for weak people.  For this reason, Imam Abu Hanifa (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) has declared getting into water or wrapping wet garments around the body while fasting to be Undesirable (Makruh) and against the Sunnah as this indicates straitening of the heart and dejection with regard to worship.

 

[Excerpted from Noor Ul Masabeeh, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 131-133]