- Fasting involves abstinence from food, drink, and certain activities for a specific period
- Are you a Muslim wondering what breaks and doesn't break your fast?
- TheRadar has compiled some actions that can and cannot break your fast
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a sacred act of devotion that requires discipline, patience, and a deep connection with Allah.
However, many people, especially reverts/new Muslims or those seeking clarity, often wonder: What breaks the fast and what doesn't?
The rules of fasting can sometimes feel complex, with questions about daily habits, accidental actions, and medical conditions.
In this article, we simplify the dos and don’ts of fasting, making it easy to understand and apply in daily life.
Actions that break the fast
While fasting, certain actions will render your fast invalid, requiring you to make up for it later (Qada) or, in some cases, perform additional compensation (Kaffarah).
Here are some key actions to avoid:
1. Eating or drinking intentionally
If you knowingly eat or drink, your fast is broken. However, if you do so forgetfully, your fast remains valid.
2. Sexual intercourse and other sexual acts
Engaging in intercourse (Jima’) while fasting is a major violation and requires both Qada and Kaffarah (fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people).
Masturbation and intentional ejaculation due to desire also invalidate the fast.
3. Menstruation and postpartum bleeding
Women who experience their menstrual period (Hayd) or postpartum bleeding (Nifas) must stop fasting and make up for the missed days later.
4. Vomiting intentionally
While unintentional vomiting does not break the fast, doing it on purpose does.
5. Smoking and inhaled substances
Smoking cigarettes, hookah, vaping, and other similar activities are considered like eating and drinking, thus invalidating the fast.
6. Taking nutritional injections
Intravenous drips and glucose injections provide nourishment and break the fast, unlike non-nutritional injections (such as painkillers), which do not.
7. Cupping (hijama) and excessive blood loss
According to some scholars, cupping invalidates the fast, as does excessive blood loss that weakens the body.
Actions that do not break the fast
Now, let’s clear up common misconceptions! Many actions people assume break the fast do not.
1. Eating or drinking by mistake
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Allah has fed him." (Bukhari, Muslim). So if you eat or drink forgetfully, continue your fast.
2. Using miswak or toothpaste
Brushing your teeth while fasting is allowed, but you must be careful not to swallow toothpaste. Alternatively, using a Miswak is safer.
3. Eye drops, ear drops, and perfumes
Since they do not reach the stomach, using these does not affect the fast.
Similarly, wearing perfume, deodorant, or attar is completely fine.
4. Bathing, swimming, or showering
As long as water does not enter your throat, you can swim or shower to stay refreshed.
5. Kissing and hugging (Without intercourse)
Married couples may show affection, but they should avoid anything that could lead to sexual arousal or intercourse.
6. Blood donation and non-nutritional injections
Donating blood is allowed unless it causes extreme weakness. Taking painkillers or anaesthesia also does not break the fast.
7. Tasting food (Without swallowing)
If necessary (for cooking or medical reasons), tasting food is allowed as long as it is not swallowed.
Fidya and Kaffarah: Making up for missed fasts
Fidya
If an individual cannot fast due to a chronic illness or old age, and there is no hope of making it up later, they must pay Fidya, feeding a poor person for each missed day.
Kaffarah
For serious violations, such as intentional sexual intercourse during fasting, one must perform Kaffarah by fasting for 60 days consecutively or feeding 60 poor people.
Islam is a religion of mercy, and unintentional mistakes are not punished.
By understanding what breaks the fast and what doesn’t, you can fast with confidence and focus on the spiritual benefits of Ramadan.
May Allah accept your fast and reward you abundantly!
Ramadan 2025: Everything you need to know about it
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier compiled basic understandings about Ramadan to help Muslims deepen their understanding or non-Muslims curious about Ramadan.
Ramadan is one of the most sacred months in Islam, observed by billions of Muslims worldwide. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.