Does Using Drops in Nose, Eyes, or Ears Break the Fast?

❀ Ruling on Using Nose, Eye, or Ear Drops While Fasting

Source: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam

✦ The Question

If a fasting person uses medicinal drops in the nose, eyes, or ears, will the fast be invalidated?

✦ Detailed Shar‘i Rulings

➊ Nose Drops While Fasting

✔ If a person puts drops into the nose and they reach the stomach, the fast is broken.

Evidence:
The Prophet ﷺ said:

«بَالِغْ فِی الْاِسْتِنْشَاقِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ صَائِمًا»
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth: 142; Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Ḥadīth: 87)

Translation:
“Exaggerate in rinsing the nose—except when you are fasting.”

◈ This Hadith indicates that anything entering the nose may reach the stomach, hence caution is necessary.
◈ However, if the drops do not reach the stomach, then the fast remains valid.

➋ Eye Drops While Fasting

✔ Using eye drops does not break the fast, even if the taste is felt in the throat.
◈ The eye is not a passage for food or drink.

➌ Ear Drops While Fasting

✔ Using ear drops also does not invalidate the fast.
◈ The ear is not classified as a digestive passage.
◈ There is no explicit Shar‘i text stating that ear drops break the fast.

✦ Related Examples and Fiqhi Principles

✔ If someone applies something to the sole of the foot, and later tastes it in the throat, it still does not break the fast, as it is not a route for nourishment.

✔ Similarly:

❀ Applying kohl (surmah) to the eyes
❀ Using medicated eye or ear drops
❀ Even if the taste reaches the throat
➤ None of these invalidate the fast.

➍ Using Oil on the Body

✔ Applying oil to the body, for treatment or otherwise, is permissible during fasting.
◈ External application does not affect the validity of the fast.

➎ Asthma Inhaler During Fasting

✔ If an asthma patient uses an inhaler while fasting:
◈ The fast remains valid,
◈ Because the medicine does not reach the stomach, and thus, is not similar to food or drink.

✔ Conclusion:

ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ