Fasting Rules During Ramadan: What Is Allowed and Forbidden While Fasting

One of the fasting rules during Ramadan is that it is an obligatory act of worship. Ramadan fasting is among Islam’s five pillars, a revered act of worship that fixes belief, self-control, and commitment to Allah. It is binding on all grown-up, healthy Muslims, with a few exceptions permitted for exceptional situations.

Let’s discover the rules of fasting in Ramadan!

Things That Nullify the Fast According to Islamic Teachings

In Islam, fasting (sawm) is a basic act of worship, especially during Ramadan. However, certain acts nullify the fast, and to know fasting rules during ramadan you need to familiarize yourself with them. The most important things that nullify the fast according to Islamic teaching are:

1. Fasting rules during Ramadan for Intentional Eating and Drinking

• Intentional intake of food or water nullifies the fast.
• However, if a person eats or drinks because of forgetfulness, his or her fast remains valid (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933).

2. Intentional Vomiting

The fasting rules during ramadan for intentional vomiting is:

• When someone vomits intentionally, his or her fast is nullified.
• But involuntary vomiting does not break the fast (Sunan Abu Dawood 2380).

3. Sexual Intercourse

• Sexual intercourse during fasting breaks the fast.
• It also requires kaffarah (expiation), which is fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people (Sahih al-Bukhari 1936).

4. Menstruation (Hayd) and Postnatal Bleeding (Nifas)

One of the fasting rules during ramadan for women is that if a woman starts her period or experiences postnatal bleeding, her fast is broken and she must make it up later.

5. Intentional Ejaculation

• If one intentionally causes ejaculation (through masturbation or otherwise), the fast is broken.
• Unintentional discharge (due to a dream, for instance) does not break the fast.

6. The fasting rules during Ramadan for Deliberate Inhalation of Smoke

Smoking cigarettes, smoking hookah, or deliberate inhaling of incense breaks the fast since it enters the body.

7. Taking Intravenous (IV) Nutritional Injections

• IV drips that have nutrition break the fast since it is food.
• However, non-nutritive injections (like vaccines or painkillers) do not break the fast.

Common Misconceptions About What Breaks a Fast

To know the fasting rules during Ramadan you must learn about the misconceptions. Most people believe some things break the fast when they don’t. Here are some common misconceptions about what breaks a fast in Islam:

1. Fasting rules during Ramadan for Swallowing Saliva

• Misconception: Swallowing your own saliva nullifies the fast.
• Reality: Saliva is natural and doesn’t nullify the fast even if swallowed several times.

2. Brushing with Miswak or Toothpaste

Fasting rules during Ramadan for brushing teeth:

• Misconception: Brushing teeth with miswak or toothpaste breaks the fast.
• Truth: Brushing with a dry miswak or toothbrush is permissible. Toothpaste is also permissible if it is not swallowed.

3. Fasting rules during Ramadan for Vomiting Involuntarily

• Misconception: Vomiting, even if accidental, breaks the fast.
• Truth: Involuntary vomiting does not break the fast (Sunan Abu Dawood 2380). Only self-induced vomiting breaks the fast.

4. Wearing Perfume or Makeup

• Misconception: Perfume or makeup invalidates the fast.
• Truth: External applications like perfumes, deodorants, and makeup do not break the fast unless swallowed.

5. Eye Drops or Ear Drops

• Fasting rules during Ramadan for using eye drops:
• Misconception: Eye drops, ear drops, or kohl break the fast.
• Truth: These do not invalidate the fast as they do not reach the stomach (Fatawa Ibn Uthaymeen).

6. Fasting rules during Ramadan for showering or Swimming

Misconception: Bathing, swimming, or even being in water breaks the fast.

7. Non-Nutritional Injections

• Misconception: Any injection breaks the fast.
• Truth: Non-nutritional injections (e.g., painkillers or vaccines) do not break the fast. Only nutritional IV drips are breaking.

8. Wet Dreams (Nocturnal Emission)

• Misconception: It is not valid to fast if one experiences a wet dream.
• Truth: Wet dreams are involuntary and do not break the fast. One must, however, take ghusl before prayer.

9. Tasting Food (Without Swallowing)

Fasting rules during Ramadan for tasting food:

• Misconception: Tasting food (e.g., while cooking) breaks the fast.
• Truth: It is acceptable as long as you don’t swallow it (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933).

10. Fasting rules during Ramadan for Bleeding (Due to Injury or Medical Tests)

• Misconception: Bleeding as a result of cuts or medical tests invalidates fasting.
• Truth: Minor bleeding does not invalidate the fast unless it is excessive, like cupping (hijama). 

Medication and Fasting: What Is Permissible?

There are some medicines permitted during fasting, and some might nullify the fast. The following is a summary as per Islamic rules:

Fasting rules during Ramadan and Permitted Medications

These do not travel through the digestive tract or provide nutrition:

• Eye Drops & Ear Drops – Since they do not reach the stomach.
• Nasal Sprays (if not swallowed) – Okay as long as it is not swallowed going down the throat.
• Non-Nutritive Injections (e.g., painkillers, insulin, and vaccines) – Since they are not food or drinks.
• Skin Creams & Ointments – Externally applied does not count as fasting.
• Gargling or Mouth Rinses (if not swallowed) – Allowed but done cautiously.
• Oxygen & Inhalers (for asthma or respiratory conditions) – Allowed, as they are not food.
• Blood Tests & Peripheral Blood Donation – Does not break the fast unless excessive, such as hijama (cupping).

Medications That Break the Fast

Fasting rules during Ramadan and the medication that breaks the fast: These penetrate the body or provide nutrition:

• Oral Medications (tablets, syrups) – Since they go through the throat.
• Nutritional IV Drips – They are food and break the fast.
• Inhaled Anesthesia – If it goes into the stomach, it breaks fasting.
• Suppositories (Disputed) – They are forbidden by some scholars, but permitted for medical emergencies by others.
• For the Sick & Those Needing Regular Medication
• Islam permits sick individuals to postpone their fast and compensate later (Quran 2:185).
• In case of chronic sickness, they may offer fidya (feed a poor person per missed fast).

 Discover what is Sawm in Islam and its benefits!

Rules for Travelers and the Sick in Ramadan

Here is a table that shows the fasting rules during Ramadan for travelers and the sick:

Category	Ruling	Make Up Fast Later?	Fidya Required?
Traveler (Musafir)	Can fast or skip if difficult	Yes, after Ramadan	No
Temporarily Sick	Can skip if fasting worsens illness	Yes, after recovery	No
Chronically Ill (Permanent Condition)	Exempt from fasting	No	Yes, must pay fidya
Elderly (Too Weak to Fast)	Exempt from fasting	No	Yes, must pay fidya

 

Fasting and Women: Pregnancy, Menstruation, and Nursing

Here is the fasting rules during ramadan for women:

 

Condition	Can She Skip Fasting?	Make Up Later?	Fidya Required?
Menstruation	Not allowed to fast	Yes, after Ramadan	No
Postnatal Bleeding	Not allowed to fast	Yes, after Ramadan	No
Pregnancy	Allowed if difficult	Yes, after Ramadan	If unable to fast later
Breastfeeding	Allowed if difficult	Yes, after Ramadan	If unable to fast later)

understand what is said in Quran about fasting and more!

How to Maintain Taqwa While Fasting

To maintain taqwa while fasting, attempt to purify your heart, avoid sin, elevate ibadah, and serve others. Fasting is not just about starving yourself but also about spiritually changing yourself.

Learn more about the Islamic Faith and Aqeedah by joining our Hadith Jibril program with the best-specialized Shaikh from Al-Azhar University. 

Conclusion

Fasting rules during Ramadan are easy to learn. Fasting during Ramadan is not only abstaining from food and beverages it is also a spiritual path that strengthens the faith, willpower, and commitment to Allah. 

By adhering to the fasting rules, Muslims can ensure that their act of devotion would be acceptable, as well as gain benefits through Ramadan’s body, mind, and soul purification.

 Book a free Consultation session and start learning!  

 

FAQs

What can you do while fasting for Ramadan?

While fasting in Ramadan, you can pray, recite Quran, make dua, give charity, do dhikr, perform good deeds, and engage in beneficial activities while avoiding sinful behavior.

What are 4 things not to do in Ramadan?

In Ramadan, avoid eating and drinking during fasting hours, engaging in sinful speech or actions, wasting time on unproductive activities, and neglecting prayers or Quran recitation.