I have an urgent question regarding the upcoming Ramadan. My wisdom teeth have just started coming out, and it is extremely painful. I was wondering if I can
a) apply a soothing gel on my gums during the fasting period,
b) get them surgically removed and still keep on fasting if I'm on painkillers.
Praise be to Allaah.
Yes, it is permissible to treat one’s teeth and apply paste and the like to the gums whilst fasting, but that is subject to the condition that you do not swallow it.
In the book Seventy Issues related to Fasting, it says:
There are some things that do not invalidate the fast, some of which we will mention by way of example:
1. Tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat angina and other conditions - so long as one avoids swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
2. Dental fillings, tooth extractions, cleaning of the teeth, use of siwaak or toothbrush - so long as one avoids swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
3. Rinsing, gargling or applying topical mouth sprays - so long as one avoids swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
Similarly there is nothing wrong with having an operation during the day in Ramadaan under anaesthetic, so long as the anaesthetic will not last all day, i.e., from dawn until sunset, because the ruling on anaesthesia in this case is the same as the ruling on sleep.
Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid
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My question is about the smell that comes from Vicks [i.e., Vicks Vaporub, used externally to relieve headaches]. Does it have any substance that reaches the stomach when I apply the Vicks in the area of the forehead and nose whilst fasting?
Praise be to Allaah.
The smell that comes from Vicks does not have any effect on the fast, because it is simply a smell that has no substance that can reach the stomach.
See also Question no. 37706
And Allaah knows best.
Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid
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Does saliva invalidate the fast during Ramadaan or not? Because I produce a lot of saliva especially when reading Qur’aan and when I am in the mosque.
Praise be to Allaah.
If a fasting person swallows his saliva that does not invalidate his fast even if there is a lot of it and if that happens in the mosque or elsewhere. However if it is thick like mucus, he should not swallow it, rather he should spit it out into a tissue or whatever if he is in the mosque.
And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allah send blessings and peace upon of Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth wa’l-Ifta, 1-/270.
If it is asked, is it permissible to swallow mucus deliberately?
The answer is:
It is haraam to swallow mucus whether one is fasting or not, because it is considered to be dirty and it may carry diseases produced by the body. But it does not break the fast if a fasting person swallows it, because it does not come from blood and swallowing it is not regarded as food or drink. If he swallows it after it reaches the mouth, it does not break the fast. From the words of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy on him. See al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/428.
Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid
