The Rulings of Ramadan: A Comprehensive Guideline

7. PERMISSIBLE THINGS FOR THE FASTING PERSON

There is no doubt for any servant who understands the Quraan and Sunnah that Allah (T) only wants ease for His servants. So He (T) made certain things allowed for those who fast.

The fast is valid for any person who wakes up in a state of sexual defilement Aa'isha and Umm Salamah relate: "That the Fajr used to come upon the Messenger (S) while he was in a state of sexual defilement from intercourse (from the previous night). He would then take a bath and (continue) fasting. [Bukharee]

Cleaning the mouth with the miswaak

The Messenger (S) said: "If I did not fear that I would make it hard on my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the miswaak (to brush their teeth) for every wudoo." [Muslim]

In this hadeeth the Messenger (S) did not differentiate between the fasting person and those who are not fasting, therefore the ruling is general and applies to the fasting person as well. It is also putting no limits upon the time when this can be done, either before or after Zawal (zenith).

Note: It is preferable not to use toothpaste because of its strong taste.

Washing the mouth and nose

The Messenger (S) used to wash his mouth and nose while he was fasting, however he forbade exaggeration in either of these two actions for the fasting person. He (S) said: "...and exaggerate in washing the nose except if you are fasting..." [Abu Daawood and Tirmidhee]

Kissing and foreplay with one's wife (for the one who can control is desire)

Aa'ishah (R) said: "The Messenger (S) used to kiss (his wife) while he was fasting, and he used to involve in foreplay while fasting, but he was the most able of you to hold back his desires. [Bukharee and Muslim]

Amr Ibn al-Aas said: "We were with the Messenger (S) when a young man approached him and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, can I kiss while fasting. He (S) said: "No." Then an old man came and said: "Can I kiss while fasting?" He (S) said: "Yes." We began to look at each other, and so the Messenger of Allah (T) said: "The old man can control himself." [Ahmad]

Blood Testing and inoculations other than inoculations for nourishment

These things do not break the fast. (See the section that relates to the things that invalidate the fast).

Al-Hijaamah (Extracting blood from the head or other parts of the body as a medicinal practice) This act used to cause the fast to be void, however, the ruling was later abrogated. Ibn 'Abbaas (R) said: "The Prophet (S) had hijaamah done to him while he was fasting." [Al-Bukhaaree]

Tasting food as long as it does not go down the throat

Ibn 'Abbaas said: "Nothing is wrong in tasting vinegar or any other thing while one is fasting, as long as that thing does not enter the throat." [Ibn Abi Shaibah and Baihaqee]

Pouring cold water on the head or taking a complete bath (ghusl)

The Messenger of Allah (T) used to pour water on his head while he was fasting because of thirst or severe heat. [Abu Dawood and Ahmad]

Applying kuhl or eye drops to the eyes even if the taste of any of these reaches the throat

Imaam Al Bukhaaree in his Saheeh said that: "Anas, Al-Hassan, and Ibraheem did not see anything wrong for the fasting person who uses kuhl in the eyes."