Nullifiers of Fasting: What Breaks Your Fast?

General Rule

Fasting is broken by a substance entering the stomach through an open passage (mouth/nose) intentionally while remembering the fast.

1. What DEFINITELY Breaks the Fast

• Intentional Eating/Drinking: If you forget, your fast is valid.
• Intentional Vomiting: If it happens involuntarily, keep fasting.
• Intimacy: Major sin requiring heavy expiation (Kaffarah).
• Menstruation/Post-natal bleeding: Even if it starts moments before Maghrib.

2. What Does NOT Break the Fast

• Injections (Medical): Muscle/IV shots that are non-nutritious. Nutrient drips (glucose) DO break it.
• Eye/Ear Drops: Valid even if you taste it in the throat.
• Toothpaste: Permissible if you don't swallow, but Siwak is safer.
• Asthma Inhalers: Permitted by many scholars for necessity.

3. Golden Tip

"Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not." When in doubt, the default is the fast is valid, but caution is better.