The fast is broken by deliberately eating or drinking, by sexual intercourse, by deliberate vomiting, and by menstrual or postnatal bleeding, all between Fajr (dawn) and Maghrib (sunset). Eating or drinking by mistake does not break it. This guide separates what breaks the fast, what does not, and what scholars differ on, and explains how to make up a missed day.
The fasting day starts at Fajr and ends at Maghrib. You can check the times for your city in our Ramadan timetable, and the dates in Ramadan 2027.
The basic rule
Allah says in the Quran: "Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread. Then complete the fast until the sunset" (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:187). The fast means abstaining from food, drink and intimate relations from dawn to sunset, with the intention to fast.
What breaks the fast
- Eating or drinking on purpose. Any food or drink that reaches the stomach through the mouth, in any amount, if done knowingly and willingly.
- Sexual intercourse. It breaks the fast, and in Ramadan it requires a penalty (kaffarah) in addition to making up the day.
- Deliberate vomiting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever is overcome by vomiting is not required to make up the fast, and whoever vomits on purpose must make it up" (Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi).
- Menstruation and postnatal bleeding. The fast ends the moment bleeding begins, even just before Maghrib, and the day is made up later.
- Emission through deliberate acts. Intentionally causing ejaculation breaks the fast according to the majority of scholars.
- Giving up the intention to fast. Deciding to stop fasting in the middle of the day ends the fast, even if you do not eat.
Many scholars also count injections of nutrition (intravenous feeding) as breaking the fast, because they replace food.
What does not break the fast
- Eating or drinking by mistake. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks should complete his fast, for it is Allah who fed him and gave him drink" (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Stop as soon as you remember.
- Involuntary vomiting. If you vomit without intending to, the fast stands.
- Swallowing your own saliva. Normal swallowing of saliva is fine.
- Swallowing dust, flies or smoke by accident. Unintentional entry does not break the fast.
- Wet dreams. They are involuntary, so the fast continues.
- Brushing your teeth. Allowed, and the miswak is recommended. Do not swallow the toothpaste or water, and use a small amount. Some scholars prefer to avoid toothpaste during fasting hours if you may swallow it.
- Rinsing the mouth and nose in wudu. Allowed, but do not sniff water too deep. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Exaggerate in sniffing water, unless you are fasting" (Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi).
- Bathing, swimming and putting on perfume. Allowed, as long as water is not swallowed on purpose.
- Having a blood test. Taking a small amount of blood does not break the fast, according to most contemporary scholars.
- Kissing a spouse. Allowed for those who can control themselves, according to the report from Aisha (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
- Applying cream, oil and lotion. These are absorbed through the skin and do not break the fast.
What scholars differ on
Modern medicine and technology bring cases that the early scholars did not discuss. The following are matters on which contemporary councils have given views. If you need to be sure, ask a qualified scholar. Many councils allow these, and some prefer caution.
- Asthma inhalers. Most contemporary fatwa councils say that an inhaler does not break the fast, since it delivers a tiny medication in the form of a vapour or an aerosol, not food or drink. Some scholars advise caution. If you need it to breathe, use it. Health comes first.
- Eye drops and ear drops. Many scholars say they do not break the fast. Some say that if you taste the drops in the throat, the fast is invalid. It is easy to avoid by using them at night where possible.
- Non-nutritional injections (insulin, vaccines, local anaesthetic). The majority of contemporary scholars say they do not break the fast.
- Nasal sprays. Views differ. Many allow them and others advise avoiding them in the daytime if you can.
- Tasting food while cooking. Allowed for those who need it if nothing is swallowed. Some scholars dislike it without need.
- Cupping (hijama). Some earlier scholars said that cupping breaks the fast based on a report. Most scholars say it does not. Many people schedule it at night.
- Donating blood. Views differ, with some saying it weakens the fasting person. Many allow it when health is not affected.
Who may skip the fast, and how do they make it up?
The Quran allows the sick and the traveller to miss days and make them up later (2:184). The following categories may break the fast:
- The ill, when fasting makes the illness worse or delays recovery. They make up the days later.
- Travellers, who may break the fast and make up the days.
- Women who are menstruating or in postnatal bleeding, who must break the fast and make up the days.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women who fear for themselves or the child. They make up the days, and some scholars add feeding a poor person for each day.
- The elderly and the chronically ill who cannot fast and have no hope of recovering. They feed a poor person for each missed day (the fidyah).
What if someone breaks the fast on purpose?
- For eating or drinking on purpose without a valid reason, the person repents, completes the rest of the day by abstaining, and makes up the day later.
- For sexual intercourse in a Ramadan day, the person owes the kaffarah in addition to making up the day: freeing a slave, and if not possible, fasting two consecutive months, and if not possible, feeding sixty poor people (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Quick checklist
- Did you do it knowingly and on purpose? If not, the fast is intact.
- Did food or drink reach your stomach through the mouth? If yes, and it was on purpose, the fast is broken.
- Still unsure? Finish the day, then ask a scholar. If the ruling turns out to be that you broke it, make the day up.
Frequently asked questions
Does brushing your teeth break the fast?
No. Brushing is allowed during fasting hours, provided you do not swallow the paste or water.
What if I eat by mistake while fasting?
The fast stays valid. Stop as soon as you remember and complete the day.
Does an inhaler break the fast?
Most contemporary scholars say no. If you need it for asthma, use it.
Does vomiting break the fast?
Deliberate vomiting does. Involuntary vomiting does not.
Does swallowing saliva break the fast?
No. Swallowing your own saliva does not break the fast.
How do I make up a missed fast?
Fast the same number of days in a later month, ideally before the next Ramadan. A missed day has no fixed date, but do not delay it without a reason.
This guide is educational and not a fatwa. For medical conditions, speak to your doctor and a qualified scholar.