Inhaling something during fast

If One has Asthma and Must Use an Inhaler, Do They Have to Fast? 

Question #: 6163 

Date Posted: 15-02-2005 

<QUESTION>

If one has Asthma and must use an inhaler, then in such a case does one have to fast? Note that the drug particles in the asthma pump are very small.

<ANSWER>

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

As explained in an earlier post, using an asthma pump and inhaling its gas will invalidate one’s fast. As such, if one used an asthma pump for a genuine medical need, one will have to make up the fasts missed (qadha), although expiation (kaffara) will not be necessary.

You state that the drug particles in the asthma gas are very small and minute. However, the ruling of the fast being invalidated is not based on the drug particles being present or otherwise; rather, one’s fast is invalidated by inhaling something that has a perceptible body such as smoke or gas. (See: Maraqi al-Falah with Hashiya al-Tahtawi, P: 660)

Note that, in order for one’s fast to become invalid, one has to inhale the smoke or gas intentionally and deliberately. If the smoke entered one’s nose or throat unintentionally, then one’s fast will not break. (Maraqi al-Falah, P: 660)

Therefore, if an individual was to enter a room full of smoke and he was to intentionally inhale the smoke, whilst the smoke having a perceptible body, then his fast would become invalid. Hence, inhaling gas from an asthma pump will invalidate the fast, regardless of whether there is any nutritional value in the inhalers or otherwise, for the gas has a perceptible body which enters one’s body through a normal channel.

Those who need to use an asthma pump many times a day and find it difficult to fast, have the dispensation of not fasting and paying the Fidya instead. Islam is a religion of mercy and does not order its followers to do something that is beyond their capability. Therefore, chronic asthmatics need not suffer by fasting; rather, if they are genuinely not able to keep a fast or make it up later, they may pay the expiatory payment instead. However, it should be remembered that if one becomes capable of fasting again, one will have to make up for the missed fasts despite paying the Fidya. (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/207 and others)

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK

Accidentally Inhaling Perfume whilst Fasting 

Question #: 5691 

Date Posted: 11-10-2004 

<QUESTION>

If one is fasting and sprays perfume on oneself and accidentally inhales some of the perfume, will it break the fast? Will Qadha have to be made?

<ANSWER>

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

One’s fast does not break by wearing, feeling or smelling fragrance. As such, it is permitted to apply perfume (itr), deodorant, or spays whilst in the state of fasting. However, if one was to intentionally inhale something that has a perceptible body, such as smoke, then one’s fast would become invalid. 

It is stated in Maraqi al-Falah:

“…If one inhaled fragrance by intentionally drawing it towards one’s self and smelling it’s smoke, whilst remembering that one is fasting, then one’s fast would become invalid…..This is something regarding which many people are neglectful, hence people should become alert and not consider it (inhaling something that has a perceptible body) similar to smelling rose, its water and musk. There is clear difference between smelling the fragrance of musk and other perfumes and between something that has a perceptible body like smoke entering one’s inside intentionally.” (Maraqi al-Falah with Hashiya al-Tahtawi, P: 660)

Therefore, if one was to deliberately inhale through one’s nose a perfume that has a perceptible body such as the smoke of Loban or the smoke of that which is known in the Indian Subcontinent as “Aghar Batti”, then one’s fast would become invalid. Similarly, if one intentionally sprays perfume in the nose and inhales it, one’s fast would break.

However, there are two things that need to be remembered here:

Firstly, in order for one’s fast to become invalid, one has to inhale the smoke intentionally and deliberately. If the smoke of a perfume entered through one’s nose or throat unintentionally, then one’s fast will not break. (Maraqi al-Falah, P: 660)

Secondly, in the situation where one’s fast does become invalid (i.e. when one deliberately inhales something that has a perceptible body), one will only have to make up for the fast later (qadha) and a expiation (kaffara) will not be necessary. (ibid)

In light of the above explanation, if one accidentally inhaled perfume, then one’s fast will not become invalid. However, if one intentionally and deliberately sprayed the perfume (that has a perceptible body) in the nose and inhaled it, then the fast would become invalid, hence one will have to make up for the fast later.

And Allah knows best 

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK



http://darulfiqh.com/will-a-rotahaler-break-the-fast/

Question:

Assalamu-Alaikum ,

Kindly let me know if taking Rotahaler breaks the fast ? I’m a wheezing patient and its very difficult during fast .

It’s just a kind of powder which goes inside the throat AND I don’t swallow anything . It’s called as ROTOCAPS .

And, if its invalidate the fast then how about the dust which goes inside our throat during travelling .

Please reply at the earliest . It’s getting difficult day by day .

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, a fast is broken by a discernible substance entering the throat independently, without any valid Shar’ī excuse.

When using the Rotocap inhaler, if visible particles reach the throat, the fast will be broken.

If it becomes difficult to breath and there is no other option but to use an inhaler, it will be permissible to use the inhaler and break the fast.  One must do Qadhā’ of the fast later on.[1]

And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best

Mufti Faraz Adam al-Mahmudi
www.darulfiqh.com

Question:

Salaam, I suffer from asthma.  Is it permissible for me to use my Ventoline inhaler?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, the use of oral medication will invalidate the fast.  Thus, if you use your inhaler whilst fasting, your fast will break.[1] 

If you suffer from an asthma attack whilst fasting and no other option is available except the use of your inhaler, you may make use of your inhaler and make up for your fast afterwards.  You will only have to do qadhā’; kaffārah will not be required.   

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Faraz ibn Adam al-Mahmudi,www.darulfiqh.com

http://darulfiqh.com/is-it-permissible-to-use-an-inhaler-whilst-fasting/



http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/21834

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, if one uses a deodorant spray or any other spray that has a chemical form and makeup in the state of fasting and such a spray passes one’s throat while fasting unintentionally, then one’s fast is not broken. 

However, if such sprays pass one’s throat intentionally, then one’s fast is broken on account of such an action.[1] 

Since the passing of such sprays is unintentional in both the scenarios in reference, one’s fast is still valid.

If one’s fast is broken due to the intentional inhalation and passing down of such sprays, then both Qadha and Kaffarah becomes Wajib.[2]

We advise one to be more cautious and careful when using such sprays as they could jeopardize one’s fast.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Moulana Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa