Ruling On Using Toothpaste, Ear, Nose, And Eye Drops For The Fasting Person

𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵❓

What is the ruling on using toothpaste, ear, nose, and eye drops for the fasting person? If the fasting person finds the taste of the above in his throat, what should he do?

𝑨𝑵𝑺𝑾𝑬𝑹❗️

Just like using the siwāk, using toothpaste to brush your teeth does not break your fast. There is no problem with using toothpaste at the beginning or end of the day. Some people of knowledge hold that it is disliked to use it after noon.

However, this opinion is inferior in weight, based on the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ):

“The siwāk is purifying for the mouth and pleasing to The Lord (Allaah)”

(Reported by al-Imām Aḥmad in al-Musnad, 6/62,124; an-Nasāī, 5; narrated by ‘Āisha. Authenticated by ibn Khuzayma in Ṣaḥīḥ ibn Khuzaymah, 135. This hadeeth was also narrated by Abī Hurayrah in Ṣaḥīḥ ibn Ḥibbān, 1067, authenticated by Sh. Al-Albānī in Silsilah as-Ṣaḥiḥah, 6/55)

He (ﷺ) also said: “Had I not thought it difficult for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwāk before every prayer.”

(Agreed upon: al-Bukhārī, 724, 888; Muslim, 252; narrated by Abī Hurayrah)

The Ẓuhr and 'Aṣr prayers are both included in this narration (ḥadīth), and they are both after noon. However, one needs to be careful not to allow the toothpaste to enter his stomach. If it does enter unintentionally, then no compensation is upon him (the fast is still valid).

Likewise, eye drops and ear drops do not break one's fast according to the most correct of two opinions of the scholars. If anyone finds the taste of the drops in their throat, it is safer (not obligatory) to compensate that day. This is because they are not essentially avenues used to eat or drink.

As for nose drops, this is impermissible because the nose has a passage where food or drink can pass into the stomach.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to Laqīṭ ibn Ṣabra (رضي الله عنه): “Sniff water up into your nostrils, thoroughly, except when you are fasting.”

[Abū Dāwūd, 142; at-Tirmidhī, 887; authenticated by at-Tirmidhī, al-Baghawī, and ibn al-Qaṭān (at-Talkhīṣ al-Ḥabīr: 1/139; Dar al-Qurtaba)]

So, whoever takes nose drops during a fasting day, has to make up that day, based on this narration and others, if the taste of it reaches his throat.

He should not sniff into his nose Oūd. As for other types of perfume, there is no issue with the fasting person smelling them.

Except for al-Bukhūr (incense) because some scholars hold that it breaks one's fast if sniffed thoroughly through the nose. This is because it rises to the brain and it has a strong diffusion. If it has been smelt unintentionally then this does not break his or her fast.

Likewise, smelling various types of perfume, colognes or incense does not break the fast as long as it has not been sniffed thoroughly through the nose.

If these drops are used and do not extend to the stomach via the nose or throat, it is permissible to use them in the daytime of Ramadaan. By the will of Allaah (ﷻ), this will not affect the fast.

And Allah knows best

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This text is one of the many fatwa (answers to questions based on authentic Islamic provisions) that are made available by Malam Khamis Yusuf. You can follow him on Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.