Ruling on Using Medicine in the Ear, Nose, or Eye While Fasting in Ramadan
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 138
During Ramadan, if a fasting person feels the need to use medicine in the ear, nose, or eye, can this be done while fasting? If someone is a chronic patient and cannot do without the medicine, should they leave the fast? Similarly, what is the ruling on taking an injection during fasting — who is allowed and who is not?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Since medicine placed in the ear, nose, or through an injection enters the body with the patient’s consent, the validity of the fast becomes questionable.
ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas (RA) said:
"الإفطار مما دخل وليس مما خرج، والوضوء مما خرج وليس مما دخل"
(al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir 1/185, Th. 81 – Sahih chain)
Translation: “The fast is broken by that which enters (the body), not by that which exits. And wudu is broken by that which exits, not by that which enters.”
In another narration from him:
"الصوم مما دخل وليس مما خرج"
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1/260, before H. 1938)
Translation: “Fasting is affected by what enters (the body), not by what exits.”
These evidences show that if a person deliberately introduces into the body something like food, drink, or medicine, the fast is broken.
The general rule includes:
Therefore, the precautionary ruling is:
❖ If a person is ill and using the medicine is necessary to prevent harm to health, they may leave the fast and later make it up (qada).
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 138Question
During Ramadan, if a fasting person feels the need to use medicine in the ear, nose, or eye, can this be done while fasting? If someone is a chronic patient and cannot do without the medicine, should they leave the fast? Similarly, what is the ruling on taking an injection during fasting — who is allowed and who is not?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Since medicine placed in the ear, nose, or through an injection enters the body with the patient’s consent, the validity of the fast becomes questionable.
ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas (RA) said:
"الإفطار مما دخل وليس مما خرج، والوضوء مما خرج وليس مما دخل"
(al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir 1/185, Th. 81 – Sahih chain)
Translation: “The fast is broken by that which enters (the body), not by that which exits. And wudu is broken by that which exits, not by that which enters.”
In another narration from him:
"الصوم مما دخل وليس مما خرج"
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1/260, before H. 1938)
Translation: “Fasting is affected by what enters (the body), not by what exits.”
Explanation
These evidences show that if a person deliberately introduces into the body something like food, drink, or medicine, the fast is broken.
The general rule includes:
- Medicine through the nose
- Medicine through the ear
- Injections (nutritive or medicinal)
Therefore, the precautionary ruling is:
❖ If a person is ill and using the medicine is necessary to prevent harm to health, they may leave the fast and later make it up (qada).
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
