This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
Is it permissible to apply henna or perfume on the head while fasting?
Answer:
It is permissible; there is no harm.
Question:
If a candle is lit where the fasting person is sitting, how is that viewed?
Answer:
It is permissible; there is no harm. The fragrance and smoke do not invalidate the fast.
Question:
How is the use of an inhaler during fasting?
Answer:
The use of an inhaler while fasting is permissible. An inhaler contains oxygen and a small amount of medicine, etc. In a state of necessity, its use does not invalidate the fast because it is not used for nourishment, nor does its moisture reach the stomach; rather, it goes to the throat and lungs. It is treated like an injection. The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Allama Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Fatawa Ibn Baz: 15/264)
, and Sheikh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Majmoo' Fatawa wa Rasa'il Ibn Uthaymeen: 19/209)
, agree on its permissibility. Also, many Arab scholars hold the same ruling.
Reference: (Majallah Buhuth Islamiyyah: 43/155)
Question:
How is it to apply lipstick while fasting?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
How is it to donate blood while fasting?
Answer:
It can be done if there is compulsion, but it is better to avoid it, because after donating blood, weakness occurs to such an extent that one may be forced to break the fast.
Question:
How is it to get a piercing while fasting?
Answer:
Getting a cupping (Hijama) done while fasting does not break the fast. There is evidence to support this.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما states:
إن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم احتجم وهو محرم واحتجم وهو صائم
"The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had cupping done while in the state of Ihram and also had cupping done while fasting."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1938)
Sabit bin Anas رحمه الله states:
سئل أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أكنتم تكرهون الحجامة للصائم قال لا إلا من أجل الضعف
"Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه was asked: Did you consider cupping disliked for a fasting person during the Prophetic era? He replied: No, except it was considered disliked due to weakness."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1940)
❀ Imam Tirmidhi رحمه الله says:
قد ذهب بعض أهل العلم من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وغيرهم إلى هذا الحديث ولم يروا بالحجامة للصائم بأسا وهو قول سفيان الثوري ومالك بن أنس والشافعي
"Some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and other scholars have taken this hadith to mean that there is no harm in a fasting person getting cupping done. This is the view of Imam Sufyan al-Thawri, Imam Malik bin Anas, and Imam Shafi’i رحمه الله."
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, under number: 777)
Note:
❀ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
أفطر الحاجم والمحجوم
"The one who cupping and the one who gets cupping done have broken their fast."
From this authentic hadith, it appears that getting cupping done breaks the fast, but in reality, it does not break the fast, as is proven by the above hadiths. Therefore, the correct and true meaning of this hadith is that the one who does cupping and the one who gets cupping done are close to breaking their fast. If the blood drawn during cupping goes down the throat, then the fast may be broken. The one who gets cupping done may become so weak due to blood loss that he cannot complete the fast. Hence, it is precautionary to avoid cupping while fasting, but if someone does get it done, the fast is not broken. It is better to get it done at night. For this reason, some scholars have declared cupping during fasting as disliked (makruh).
❀ Hafiz Khattabi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (388 AH)
says:تأول بعضهم الحديث فقال معنى أفطر الحاجم والمحجوم أي تعرضا للإفطار أما المحجوم فللضعف الذي يلحقه من ذلك فيؤديه إلى أن يعجز عن الصوم وأما الحاجم فلأنه لا يؤمن أن يصل إلى جوفه من طعم الدم أو من بعض أجراحه إذا ضم شفتيه على قصب الملازم وهذا كما يقال للرجل يتعرض للمهالك قد هلك فلان وإن كان باقيا سالما وإنما يراد به أنه قد أشرف على الهلاك
"Some scholars have interpreted this hadith, saying that the hadith 'The one who cupping and the one who gets cupping done have broken their fast' means that both are on the verge of breaking their fast. The one who gets cupping done may become so weak due to blood loss that he may be unable to complete the fast (and may have to eat or drink something). The one who does cupping is on the verge of breaking the fast because when he places his lips on the cupping instrument, there is a fear that the taste of blood or some part of the wound may enter his stomach, just as when a person intends to go to a place of destruction, it is said that so-and-so has perished, although he remains completely safe; the actual meaning is that he is inclined towards destruction."
Reference: (Ma'alim al-Sunan: 2/110)
Many commentators have explained the hadith with this meaning.
❀ Ishaq bin Mansur Kusaj (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
قال عبد الرحمن بن مهدي من احتجم وهو صائم فعليه القضاء وهكذا قال أحمد وإسحاق
"Imam Abdul Rahman bin Mahdi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Whoever gets cupping done while fasting must make up the fast. This is also the statement of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal and Imam Ishaq bin Rahwayh (may Allah have mercy on them)."
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, under number: 774)
The authentic hadiths and the position of the majority of scholars is that cupping does not break the fast, which is the stronger view. Therefore, the fatwa of Imam Abdul Rahman bin Mahdi, Imam Ahmad, and Imam Ishaq bin Rahwayh is considered weak.
Question:
If one vomits, does the fast remain valid?
Answer:
Vomiting does not break the fast.
Question:
Can a person who prays Isha alone during Ramadan perform Witr in congregation?
Answer:
Yes, he can perform it.
Question:
How is it to apply kohl (surma) while fasting?
Answer:
It is permissible; applying kohl does not break the fast. There is no evidence of dislike or prohibition of applying kohl during fasting.
❀ Sulaiman bin Mihran A'mash (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
ما رأيت أحدا من أصحابنا يكره الكحل للصائم
"I have not seen any of our companions consider applying kohl for a fasting person as disliked."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2379, and its chain is Hasan)
Warning:
It is narrated from Ma‘bad bin Huzaifah Al-Juhani, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
ليتقه الصائم
"A fasting person should avoid applying kohl."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2377)
The narration is weak and rejected.
➊ Abdul Rahman bin Nu'man bin Ma‘bad is "weak."
➋ Nu'man bin Ma‘bad is "unknown," he is only mentioned by Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, in
Reference: (Al-Thiqat: 7/530)
.❀ Imam Yahya bin Ma'in, may Allah have mercy on him, declared this narration rejected.
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood, under the hadith: 2377)
❀ Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, also said it is "rejected."
Reference: (Masa'il Abi Dawood: 1891)
Question:
Can prepubescent children be made to fast?
Answer:
Although fasting becomes obligatory after reaching puberty, children should be made to fast from the beginning to accustom them to it.
Reference: (Bukhari: 1960, Muslim: 1136)
However, if the child is weak or ill, they should not be made to fast.
Question:
What is the ruling on breastfeeding a child during fasting?
Answer:
A mother can breastfeed her child while fasting. This does not invalidate the fast.
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما says:
"Every substance that enters the body (with evidence) breaks the fast, but whatever exits the body does not break the fast."
Reference: (الأوسط لابن المنذر: 81، وسنده حسن)
Question:
What is the ruling if a person experiences nocturnal emission while fasting?
Answer:
Nocturnal emission does not break the fast because it is not under a person's control, and a sleeping person is considered to have a suspended will.
❀ Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr رحمه الله
Reference: (463H)
says:إن العلماء أجمعوا أن الاحتلام بالنهار لا يفسد الصيام
"The consensus of the scholars is that if nocturnal emission occurs during the day, the fast is not invalidated."
Reference: (الاستذكار: 3/291)
