What breaks a fast in Islam?

What Breaks a Fast in Islam? A Comprehensive Guide

Fasting (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and holds immense spiritual, mental, and physical significance. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe fasting from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) as an act of worship and devotion to Allah. The Quran highlights the importance of fasting, stating:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

For fasting to be valid and accepted, a Muslim must abstain from specific actions that nullify the fast. While certain acts such as eating, drinking, and marital relations clearly break the fast, there are other situations where rulings may vary. Understanding what invalidates a fast is crucial to ensuring that one’s worship is performed correctly.

In this article, we will explore what breaks a fast in Islam, supported by Quranic verses and authentic Hadiths in both Arabic and English. We will also discuss the types of expiation (Kaffarah) required in cases where the fast is deliberately broken.

The Obligation of Fasting in Islam

Fasting (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation upon every adult, sane, and capable Muslim during the month of Ramadan. It is an act of worship that purifies the soul, instills self-discipline, and strengthens one’s connection with Allah. The command for fasting is clearly stated in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

This verse highlights that fasting is not just a requirement for Muslims but was also ordained for previous nations as a means of attaining taqwa (God-consciousness).

The obligation of fasting during Ramadan was further reinforced by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who said:

بُنِيَ الإِسْلاَمُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ… وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ
“Islam is built upon five (pillars)… and fasting in Ramadan.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8; Sahih Muslim, 16)

Fasting is an essential duty for every able Muslim, and those who deliberately neglect it without valid reasons commit a serious sin. However, Islam provides exemptions for those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, or facing hardships, demonstrating Allah’s mercy and wisdom.

Actions That Break a Fast in Islam

There are two main categories of things that break a fast:

• Things that break the fast and require only making up the missed fast (Qada’)
• Things that break the fast and require both making up the fast and expiation (Kaffarah)

Let’s explore them in detail.

Eating and Drinking Intentionally

Eating and drinking deliberately during fasting hours nullifies the fast. This includes consuming any kind of food, drink, or nourishment.

Allah says in the Quran:

وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ
“And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:187)

Exceptions:

• If someone forgets and eats or drinks unintentionally, their fast remains valid.

• The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

  من نسي وهو صائم فأكل أو شرب فليتم صومه، فإنما أطعمه الله وسقاه.

  “Whoever eats or drinks out of forgetfulness, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink.”
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1933; Sahih Muslim, 1155)

• However, once a person remembers, they must immediately stop eating and continue their fast.

2.2 Intentional Vomiting

If someone vomits intentionally, their fast is broken. However, if vomiting occurs naturally or unintentionally, the fast remains valid.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

مَنْ ذَرَعَهُ الْقَيْءُ فَلَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنِ اسْتَقَاءَ فَلْيَقْضِ.

“Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the fast, but whoever vomits intentionally must make it up.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, 2380; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 720)

Sexual Intercourse During Fasting Hours

Engaging in sexual intercourse while fasting is one of the most serious violations of the fast. It not only breaks the fast but also requires expiation (Kaffarah).

The Quran mentions the permissibility of intimacy only at night during Ramadan:

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ
“It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights of fasting.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:187)

If someone intentionally has sexual intercourse during fasting hours, they must:

• Make up for the missed fast (Qada’).
• Offer expiation (Kaffarah), which is:
  • Freeing a slave, or
  • Fasting 60 consecutive days, or
  • Feeding 60 poor people.

A man once came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and confessed to breaking his fast through intercourse. The Prophet (ﷺ) prescribed expiation as described above. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1936; Sahih Muslim, 1111)

Intentional Ejaculation

If a person intentionally causes ejaculation through actions such as masturbation, their fast is broken.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

يَدَعُ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي
“He leaves his food, drink, and desires for My sake.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1894; Sahih Muslim, 1151)

Since fasting requires abstaining from desires, deliberate ejaculation invalidates the fast. However, if it happens unintentionally (e.g., wet dreams), the fast remains valid.

Menstruation and Postpartum Bleeding

If a woman starts menstruating or experiences postpartum bleeding during fasting hours, her fast is automatically nullified.

Aisha (RA) said:

كنا نؤمر بقضاء الصوم ولا نؤمر بقضاء الصلاة.

“We (women) were ordered to make up for our missed fasts due to menstruation, but not our prayers.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 321; Sahih Muslim, 335)

Women in this state must make up the missed fasts (Qada’), but there is no expiation (Kaffarah) required.

Cupping, Bloodletting, and Similar Practices

Taking out large amounts of blood (such as through cupping or donating blood) can break the fast if it weakens the individual.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

أَفْطَرَ الْحَاجِمُ وَالْمَحْجُومُ.”

“The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done both break their fast.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, 2369; Sunan Ibn Majah, 1679)

However, modern scholars differ on this issue. If donating blood or cupping does not cause weakness, the fast remains valid.

Things That Do NOT Break a Fast

There are several actions that do not break a fast, even though some people may mistakenly believe they do. Islam is a religion of ease, and Allah does not intend to burden His servants unnecessarily. The following acts do not invalidate a fast:

• Unintentional Eating or Drinking – If someone forgetfully eats or drinks during fasting hours, their fast remains valid. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

  مَنْ نَسِيَ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ فَأَكَلَ أَوْ شَرِبَ، فَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ، فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَسَقَاهُ.

  “Whoever eats or drinks out of forgetfulness, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink.”
  (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1933; Sahih Muslim, 1155)

• Vomiting Unintentionally – If a person vomits without intention, their fast remains intact. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

  “Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the fast.”
  (Sunan Abu Dawood, 2380)

• Brushing Teeth or Using Miswak – Using a toothbrush or Miswak does not break the fast, as the Prophet (ﷺ) regularly used Miswak while fasting.

• Applying Perfume, Oil, or Eye Drops – External applications such as perfumes, creams, or kohl do not invalidate fasting.

• Taking a Bath or Swimming – Bathing to cool off or swimming is permissible, as long as water is not intentionally swallowed.

These rulings highlight the mercy and wisdom of Islam, ensuring that fasting remains a manageable and rewarding act of worship.

Conclusion