HYGIENE &

MEDICATION IN

RAMADAN

HYGIENE

&

MEDICATION IN RAMADAN

CONTENT

HYGIENE + MEDICATION

03 INTRODUCTION
by Ustaz Irwan Hadi Mohd Shuhaimy

04 HYGIENE
Commonly-asked questions related to
hygiene issue

08 MEDICATION
Medication during the Ramadan?
Does injecting insulin invalidate my fast?
Does getting blood drawn invalidate the
fast?

04 HYGIENE
ADVISORY BOARD

MOHAMED FATRIS
USTAZ MURAT ARIS
USTAZ DR NAZIRUDIN
USTAZ IRWAN HADI
USTAZ IZAL MUSTAFA
USTAZ KAMARUZAMAN
MUFTI DR

EDITORIAL TEAM

04

MEDICATION
F O L L O W

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HYGIENE

&

MEDICATION IN RAMADAN

INTRODUCTION
When the ritual of fasting was first mentioned as an obligation in the holy Quran,
the verses related to it mentioned almost immediately the concession and relief
given to those who may not be able to fast either due to any form of sickness
which have inflicted them or due to travelling. This is as seen in in verse 183-184
of Al-Baqarah:
"O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were
enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing, (183) For days
few in number. However, should any one of you be sick or on a journey, then (he
should fast) a number of other days (equal to the missed ones); and those who
have the strength, (still, they do not opt for fasting,) on them there is a fidyah
(compensation), that is, the feeding of a poor person. Then whoever does good
voluntarily, that is better for him. However, that you fast is better for you, if you
only knew". (184)
Such verses remind us of the compassionate and dynamic nature of Islamic law.
It is a law which reminds us of the importance of empathy, and for us to seek to
facilitate, bring ease and remove hardship from people. These concessions or
reliefs are known as rukhsah, and they form part of the Islamic law which seeks
to ensure that those who are unable to perform any prescribed rituals should
never feel that they are lesser Muslims.
This is especially in the case of a Muslim who may be sick and is in the month of
Ramadan when he or she is unable to physically fast. Hence in verse 185 of Surah
Al-Baqarah, Allah s.w.t. says, after repeating the availability of concessions for
the sick and those travelling , that verily He (Allah) wishes for you ease and
does not wish for you hardship.
And when Muslims are in a state to apply the concession for themselves, they
should never feel that they are denied the blessings of the month of Ramadan.
Should they be inflicted with sickness, they should concentrate on getting better
and consuming their medicine timely. This is so that they may continue to do
even more goodness with better health in the coming months. Never should
Muslims subject themselves to pain and torture in order to complete fasting in
Ramadan when they are in state to receive Allahs concession. This is as
mentioned in a hadith Verily Allah loves that his Rukhsah be (opted for and)
practised just as much as He hates Masiyyah (sins; blameworthy acts) to be
committed. [Narrated by Imam Ahmad]

HYGIENE
IN RAMADAN

OFFICE OF THE MUFTI

Having a wet dream and performing the ghusl does not

invalidate ones fast. Even if water accidentally enters the ears
or one accidentally swallows water (while performing the
ablution or bathing), the fast is not invalidated as it is deemed
to be accidental.

ENEIGYH

I had a wet dream during the day in Ramadan so I performed

the ghusl. Does performing the ghusl (obligatory ritual bath)
invalidate my fast?

The Holy Prophet has said:

Truly, Allah forgives those who have made a

mistake, who have forgotten or who were
coerced into doing something.
(Reported by At-Tabarani)
Some people say that gargling and flushing out ones nose
affects ones fast. How true is this?
Gargling and flushing out ones nose while performing the
ablution is sunnah. When fasting, one cannot do so excessively.
As long as one does not do so excessively, and if water enters
the throat accidentally, the fast is considered to be valid.
Likewise, if dust from the road or even a fly enters his/her
throat, it is forgiven for it is unintended.

HYGIENE IN RAMADAN | 05

Clearing ones ears or nose will not invalidate the fast. You are
hence allowed to clear your nose or ears. This also applies to
wearing earpiece.

ENEIGYH

I have heard that someone who is fasting cannot clear his/her

ears or his/her nose, whether by means of a cotton bud or
his/her fingers. Using earpiece during fasting can also
invalidate ones fast. Is this true?

I had an embarrassing experience. I was coughing and phlegm

came out. But I was too embarrassed to spit because it was by
the roadside, and so, I swallowed the phlegm back. I know this
is very disgusting, but can I ask if my fasting was nullified by
doing so?
No, your fast was not nullified. However, it is not encouraged
for you to swallow your phlegm for health and hygiene
purposes.
I was wondering if I were to go for a facial involving the process
of extracting pimples, will it break my fast? Thank you for
taking your time to answer this.
No. Going for facial and extracting pimples do not invalidate
the fast.

HYGIENE IN RAMADAN | 06

Brushing teeth does not invalidate fasting, as long as we take

care to not swallow water, and there does not seem to be a
dispute on that.

ENEIGYH

I am particular about bad breaths and fasting is a challenge

in that sense. Is it okay if I were to brush my teeth once or
twice during the working hours?

There is a hadith narrated by Imam At-Tirmizi,

a companion by the name of Rabi'ah (ra)
mentioned that he had seen the Prophet
on countless occasions, brushing his
teeth with the siwak (tooth stick), while he was
in the state of fasting".
However, according to Imam Shafie, the ruling for brushing
teeth to eliminate bad breath during fasting is makruh or not
encouraged.

HYGIENE IN RAMADAN | 07

MEDICATION
IN RAMADAN

OFFICE OF THE MUFTI

There are scholars who argue that using inhaler invalidates

the fast because they believe that the insertion of anything
into an open orifice or a cavity will invalidate ones fast. This is
the opinion of the Shafiee mazhab.

NOITACIDEM

What is the ruling on the use of the inhaler (for asthmatics)

during the fast?

However, there are those who argue otherwise because the

use of an inhaler does not insert anything into ones stomach.
This is the opinion of the Hanbali mazhab, and some of the
Maliki mazhab.
We are of the opinion that if a person has a need for the use
of inhaler multiple times during fasting, then this could lead to
the invalidation of fasting. In addition, the person would also
be unfit to fast and to ocntinue doing so might be detrimental
to the health. One should thus break the fast and make up for
it another day instead.
If, however, the use of an inhaler is required only once, we are
of the opinion that if the individual is fit to continue to fast, he
may then choose to do so.
Does injecting insulin invalidate my fast?
Insulin injections for diabetics will not invalidate your fast. This
is because the injection is not done through an open orifice,
does not cure hunger pains nor does it result in any sort of
satiation in the patient.
Can I donate blood when I am fasting?
Donating blood in moderate quantities is permissible and will
not invalidate the fast. However, should donating blood affect
your ability to fast physically, you are not encouraged to do so.

MEDICATION IN RAMADAN | 09

You should not skip your medication if it is has been prescribed

for you to take it daily. This is especially in instances where the
illness you are suffering from is contagious if not curbed.

NOITACIDEM

I am admitted to the hospital and am being put on drip. Does

this invalidate my fast?

However, it is obligatory for you to find a way out as far as

possible. Consult your doctor if you can take your medications
outside the fasting timing during this period.
Does getting blood drawn invalidate the fast?
Getting the blood drawn does not invalidate the fast. As a matter
of fact, the Prophet s.a.w. got his blood drawn when he was in
ihram and while he was fasting (Bukhari). Moreover, the Prophet
said:

There are three things that do not invalidate

the fast: getting the blood drawn, vomiting,
having a wet dream.
(Reported by At-Tirmidzi)

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No, it does not invalidate fasting. What is swallowed

accidentally does not invalidate fasting. However, efforts
must be taken to ensure that you do not swallow the blood as
far as possible.

NOITACIDEM

My gums started to bleed while I was fasting. Does this

invalidate my fasting? Do nose bleeds invalidate fasting as
well?*

You may break your fast if there is excessive bleeding and it

makes you weak and affect your ability to fast. However you
would have to make up for the fast at another time, before
the next Ramadan.
Does having a dental treatment while fasting invalidate the
fast?
Having a dental treatment whether with morphine or without
morphine does not invalidate fast. Similarly, having a tooth
extracted while fasting does not invalidate the fast. However,
swallowing blood or therapeutic substances in excess during
the course of treatment invalidates the fast.

MEDICATION IN RAMADAN | 11

You should not skip your medication if it is has been prescribed

for you to take it daily. This is especially in instances where the
illness you are suffering from is contagious if not curbed.

NOITACIDEM

I need to take prescribed medication daily. Can I not fast?

How do I make up for it then?

However, it is obligatory for you to find a way out as far as

possible. Consult your doctor if you can take your medications
outside the fasting timing during this period.
Injections & eyedrops while fasting do they invalidate my
fast?
Receiving an injection does not invalidate one's fast, as it is not
done through an open orifice and it does not satiate the patient
of his hunger and thirst. The same applies with the usage of
eyedrops.

MEDICATION IN RAMADAN | 12

HYGIENE & MEDICATION

IN RAMADAN