Using the Miswak During the Day in Ramadan
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Tasting Food and Fasting
Question: Does tasting food by a woman or others invalidate the fast? What is the ruling on chewing gum for a fasting person? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer: There is no harm in tasting food with the mouth; one tastes it in the mouth and spits it out, without swallowing any of it. If one intentionally swallows any of it, the fast is invalid. However, merely tasting it in the mouth and spitting it out does not affect the fast, because the mouth is considered external and is not part of the stomach. Just as one rinses the mouth for ablution and purification, which does not affect the fast provided one spits out the water, so too with tasting food: one spits it out and does not let it enter the throat or swallow it.
As for gum, it is of two types:
The first: The gum that dissolves and crumbles in the mouth; this is not permissible for a fasting person to chew because it seeps into the throat and invalidates the fast.
The second: The strong gum that does not dissolve, crumble, or melt in the mouth; it is disliked for a fasting person to chew this, and Allah the Exalted knows best.
[Using the Miswak During the Day in Ramadan]
Question: What is the ruling on using the miswak during the day in Ramadan?
Answer: Using the miswak during the day in Ramadan is a recommended practice (sunnah), because the miswak is among the confirmed sunnahs in fasting and otherwise. It is recommended for the fasting person to use the miswak throughout the day, according to the correct view. Among the best characteristics of the fasting person is the use of the miswak, as mentioned in the hadith. Therefore, it is recommended for the fasting person to use the miswak throughout the day.
Some scholars hold that the dispensation (rukhsah) for using the miswak is before the sun reaches its zenith, and that one should refrain from using it after that. A hadith is reported on this, but it is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). What is established is that one uses the miswak throughout the day, and this does not affect the fast.
It should be noted that it is obligatory for the fasting person not to swallow any of the remnants of the miswak, or the debris that the miswak removes from the gums and teeth. Rather, it is obligatory for him to spit out these things, and this does not affect the fast. He should clean his mouth with the miswak and freshen it with the miswak, removing the traces of residue in his mouth. This is permissible and recommended.
Question: Does tasting food by a woman or others invalidate the fast? What is the ruling on chewing gum for a fasting person? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer: There is no harm in tasting food with the mouth; one tastes it in the mouth and spits it out, without swallowing any of it. If one intentionally swallows any of it, the fast is invalid. However, merely tasting it in the mouth and spitting it out does not affect the fast, because the mouth is considered external and is not part of the stomach. Just as one rinses the mouth for ablution and purification, which does not affect the fast provided one spits out the water, so too with tasting food: one spits it out and does not let it enter the throat or swallow it.
As for gum, it is of two types:
The first: The gum that dissolves and crumbles in the mouth; this is not permissible for a fasting person to chew because it seeps into the throat and invalidates the fast.
The second: The strong gum that does not dissolve, crumble, or melt in the mouth; it is disliked for a fasting person to chew this, and Allah the Exalted knows best.
[Using the Miswak During the Day in Ramadan]
Question: What is the ruling on using the miswak during the day in Ramadan?
Answer: Using the miswak during the day in Ramadan is a recommended practice (sunnah), because the miswak is among the confirmed sunnahs in fasting and otherwise. It is recommended for the fasting person to use the miswak throughout the day, according to the correct view. Among the best characteristics of the fasting person is the use of the miswak, as mentioned in the hadith. Therefore, it is recommended for the fasting person to use the miswak throughout the day.
Some scholars hold that the dispensation (rukhsah) for using the miswak is before the sun reaches its zenith, and that one should refrain from using it after that. A hadith is reported on this, but it is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). What is established is that one uses the miswak throughout the day, and this does not affect the fast.
It should be noted that it is obligatory for the fasting person not to swallow any of the remnants of the miswak, or the debris that the miswak removes from the gums and teeth. Rather, it is obligatory for him to spit out these things, and this does not affect the fast. He should clean his mouth with the miswak and freshen it with the miswak, removing the traces of residue in his mouth. This is permissible and recommended.