❀ Ruling on Gum Bleeding During Fasting – Does It Affect the Fast?
Source: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
✦ The Question
If a fasting person experiences bleeding from the gums or teeth, does it break the fast?
✦ Shar‘i Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
✔ Bleeding from the gums or teeth during fasting does not invalidate the fast.
✦ Explanation:
◈ If a person’s gums bleed unintentionally—due to brushing, injury, inflammation, or otherwise—
the fast remains valid.
◈ This is because such bleeding is involuntary and not associated with nourishment or intake.
◈ However, it is necessary to avoid swallowing the blood.
✦ Important Clarification:
❖ If the blood is swallowed intentionally, and it mixes with saliva and enters the throat knowingly,
⚠ then the fast may become invalid depending on the amount and certainty of swallowing.
◈ If the person does their best to expel the blood and avoid swallowing, there is no harm and no qadha (make-up) required.
✦ Same Ruling for Nosebleed (Naksīr):
✔ If a person experiences a nosebleed during fasting, and avoids swallowing the blood,
then ❖ the fast is not broken,
❖ and no qadha is necessary.
✔ Conclusion:
| Scenario | Does It Break the Fast? | Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| ❀ Gum bleeding without swallowing | ❌ No | Fast remains valid |
| ❀ Nosebleed (naksīr) without swallowing | ❌ No | Fast remains valid |
| ❌ Blood intentionally swallowed | ⚠ May break the fast | Qadha may be required |
✅ Fasting remains valid as long as the blood is not deliberately swallowed.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
