FW: Ramadhaan - Q & A

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Ramadhaan - Q & A

NOSE DROPS, EYE DROPS
Can a person who is sick inhale some menthol type medicine through the nose to clear the head during fasting in Ramadan? Can a person put eye drops in their eye during Fasting in Ramadan?
It is not permissible to inhale medicine during fasting. It is permissible to use eye drops during fasting.

SWIMMING
Can one swim while fasting ?
It is permissible. Care should be taken that no water enters the mouth. It will,however, be best to abstain and use the precious moments of this month in Ibaadat.

BREASTFEEDING
I am breastfeeding my 5-month old daughter - can I fast during Ramadan? The iftar time will be 8:30pm. If fasting affects lactation should I continue or make up the days later?
It is permissible to fast whilst breastfeeding. However, if fasting affects lactation, you may make up for the fasts later.

SWALLOWING MUCUS
If someone has a throat infection and is coughing up green or yellow colored sputum, if such sputum is swallowed will this invalidate the fast? Similarily if someone has a runny nose from the flu or common cold which is producing clear mucus, if this mucus is swallowed will the fast be invalidated?
Swallowing Mucus or sputum does not invalidate the fast.

TOOTHPASTE & BRUSHING TEETH
1. I was wondering if brushing with miswaak allowed (which has a taste to it), why isn't brushing with tooth paste allowed?
It is permissible to make miswak while fasting. To use tooth paste in the state of fasting is Makrooh (disliked). The minimum taste in the miswak is unlike the strong taste in the paste. Furthermore the paste is a solid substance and liquidifies more in the mouth thereby having the potential of going down the throat.

2. Is it permissible to brush teeth while fasting?
It is makrooh to use toothpaste during fasting. One may use the miswaak during fasting.

BLOOD TEST
1. If blood is taken out of the body, does this break the fast?
Taking out blood during fasting does not invalidate the fast.

2. I am diabetic and I am prone to fainting - can I take blood tests to monitor my blood sugar during ramadan?
Shari'ah (laws of Islam) are balanced and have taken into consideration different circumstances. If a person is ill to such an extent that he will faint due to fasting, then he will be excused from fasting. Such a person may give Fidya (compensation) for not fasting. However, taking blood tests during fasting is permissible and that does not invalidate the fast.

GUMS BLEED
When I am fasting, sometimes my gums bleed. If I swallowed this blood would my fast be broken? Sometimes I cannot spit the blood out at work as I cannot leave my post to go to the toilet easily?
You should not swallow the blood. However, the swallowing of the blood does not invalidate the fast.

INJECTIONS WHILST FASTING
Is it permissible to take an injection while fasting and does that nullify the fast?
It is permissible to take an injection during fasting. The injection does not nullify the fast. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.432)

ASTHMA PUMP
I am an asthma patient. Is it permissible for me to use the inhaler during fasting? The inhaler contains salbutamol (liquid medication). If it is not permissible, what should I do when I get an asthma attack during fasting?
Since the inhaler contains a medication (salbutamol), the use of it in the state of fasting will invalidate the fast. We advise you take medication at the time of Suhoor to avoid an asthma attack. However, should you get the attack during fasting, if there is no adequate alternative which does not break the fast, you may use the inhaler and make-up for that fast later (make Qadhaa).

LIP BALMS
Are you allowed to put anything on your lips during fasting, such as lip balm or vaseline to help them from burning?
It is permissible to use a lip balm in the state of fasting.

Fatwas are by Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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