❀ 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:
| Action | Does It Break the Fast? |
|---|---|
 Eye drops | No |
| Ear drops | No |
| ⚠ Nose drops (reaching stomach) | Yes |
| Nose drops (not reaching stomach) | No |
| Applying oil to body | No |
| Using asthma inhaler | No |
| Taste in throat via non-digestive route | No |
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
