Source: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
If a fasting person swallows phlegm or mucus during the day in Ramadan, does it break the fast?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
The matter of swallowing phlegm (balgham) or mucus (khaakhaar) during a fast is as follows:
◈ If the phlegm or mucus remains within the throat and does not reach the mouth, then swallowing it does not break the fast.
◈ There is consensus among scholars that as long as it does not reach the mouth, it does not invalidate the fast.
There is a difference of opinion among scholars in this case:
➤ First Opinion:
◈ Some scholars state that if it reaches the mouth and is then swallowed deliberately, the fast breaks.
◈ They consider this act similar to eating or drinking.
➤ Second Opinion:
◈ According to another group of scholars, if phlegm or mucus reaches the mouth and is swallowed, the fast does not break.
◈ They compare it to saliva (thuq),
◈ and since swallowing one’s own saliva does not invalidate the fast—even if collected and swallowed—this too does not invalidate it.
◈ When there is scholarly disagreement, one must refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
◈ The Shar‘i principle is: In matters of doubt concerning acts of worship, the worship remains valid unless a clear, decisive proof exists against it.
◈ Hence, swallowing phlegm does not invalidate the fast, as there is no conclusive evidence to prove it does.
◈ A person should avoid drawing phlegm or mucus up to the mouth.
◈ If it reaches the mouth on its own, it is better to expel it—whether one is fasting or not.
◈ To consider a fast invalid, clear and sound evidence from Sharī‘ah is required.
◈ One should have a proof strong enough to present before Allah ﷻ on the Day of Judgment to justify such a ruling.
If it remains in the throat – fast is not broken
If it reaches the mouth and is swallowed – most likely fast is not broken, due to lack of definitive proof
⚠ Still, best to expel it when possible
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
✦ The Question
If a fasting person swallows phlegm or mucus during the day in Ramadan, does it break the fast?
✦ Shar‘i Ruling Explained
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
The matter of swallowing phlegm (balgham) or mucus (khaakhaar) during a fast is as follows:
➊ If Phlegm or Mucus Does Not Reach the Mouth
◈ If the phlegm or mucus remains within the throat and does not reach the mouth, then swallowing it does not break the fast.
◈ There is consensus among scholars that as long as it does not reach the mouth, it does not invalidate the fast.
➋ If It Reaches the Mouth and Is Then Swallowed
There is a difference of opinion among scholars in this case:
➤ First Opinion:
◈ Some scholars state that if it reaches the mouth and is then swallowed deliberately, the fast breaks.
◈ They consider this act similar to eating or drinking.
➤ Second Opinion:
◈ According to another group of scholars, if phlegm or mucus reaches the mouth and is swallowed, the fast does not break.
◈ They compare it to saliva (thuq),
◈ and since swallowing one’s own saliva does not invalidate the fast—even if collected and swallowed—this too does not invalidate it.
➌ Shar‘i Principle in Case of Disagreement
◈ When there is scholarly disagreement, one must refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
◈ The Shar‘i principle is: In matters of doubt concerning acts of worship, the worship remains valid unless a clear, decisive proof exists against it.
◈ Hence, swallowing phlegm does not invalidate the fast, as there is no conclusive evidence to prove it does.
➍ Precaution and Better Practice
◈ A person should avoid drawing phlegm or mucus up to the mouth.
◈ If it reaches the mouth on its own, it is better to expel it—whether one is fasting or not.
➎ The Need for Clear Evidence to Invalidate a Fast
◈ To consider a fast invalid, clear and sound evidence from Sharī‘ah is required.
◈ One should have a proof strong enough to present before Allah ﷻ on the Day of Judgment to justify such a ruling.
✔ Summary:
If it remains in the throat – fast is not broken If it reaches the mouth and is swallowed – most likely fast is not broken, due to lack of definitive proof⚠ Still, best to expel it when possible
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
