1. Eating and Drinking Intentionally
The most well-known invalidator of fasting is eating or drinking deliberately during the daytime of Ramadan. If a person knowingly consumes food or drink while fasting, the fast is broken and the day must be made up later.
If someone eats or drinks out of forgetfulness, many scholars state that the fast remains valid — once the person remembers, they should stop immediately and continue the fast.
2. Sexual Intercourse During the Day of Ramadan
Engaging in sexual intercourse while fasting in Ramadan is a major invalidator of the fast. It breaks the fast immediately and carries serious consequences in Islamic law, including making up the day and, in some cases, an additional expiation according to scholarly opinion.
3. Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding
For women, the start of menstruation or postnatal bleeding (nifas) during the day invalidates the fast, even if it happens shortly before Maghrib. She must break the fast at that point and make up the missed days later.
4. Deliberate Vomiting
If a person deliberately forces themselves to vomit, this is considered one of the invalidators of fasting by many scholars. Involuntary vomiting, however, does not generally break the fast, as long as nothing is swallowed back intentionally.
5. Smoking and Inhaled Substances
Smoking cigarettes, shisha, vaping, or inhaling any substance that reaches the throat and chest is understood by scholars to invalidate the fast. Besides its harmful effects, it contradicts the spirit of fasting, which is to refrain from intake and harmful habits.
6. Nutritional Injections and IV Drips
Injections or IV drips that provide nourishment or replace food and drink are considered by many scholars to invalidate the fast because they act like eating and drinking. However, emergency medical treatment takes priority — a sick person may be exempt from fasting and can make up the days later when able.
7. Common Matters That Do Not Break the Fast
Some actions worry people unnecessarily. Among the things that generally do not break the fast according to many scholars are:
- Accidental eating or drinking when someone genuinely forgets they are fasting (and stops as soon as they remember).
- Minor nosebleeds or cuts.
- Brushing teeth carefully without swallowing paste or water.
- Smelling pleasant scents or perfume, without inhaling smoke or vapour into the throat.
For specific cases, a person should seek advice from a knowledgeable scholar in their school of thought to be sure.
Conclusion: Guarding the Fast with Knowledge
Knowing the invalidators of fasting helps Muslims worship Allah ﷻ with clarity and confidence. When a believer understands what breaks the fast — and what does not — they can avoid mistakes, reduce doubts, and focus on the real purpose of Ramadan: taqwa, purification and nearness to Allah.
Share this guidance with family and friends so that everyone can benefit from a sound, accepted fast in Ramadan, in shā’ Allah.
FAQs: Invalidators of Fasting in Ramadan
What if I forget I am fasting and eat or drink?
If you genuinely forget and eat or drink unintentionally, many scholars say your fast is still valid — as soon as you remember, you should stop immediately and continue fasting.
Does using an inhaler break the fast?
This is an area of scholarly discussion. Some scholars view inhalers as invalidating the fast because medicine reaches the lungs, while others allow them in cases of necessity. It is best to seek a trusted scholar’s opinion in your situation.
Does blood test or donating blood break the fast?
Many scholars permit simple blood tests without considering them as invalidating the fast. Large blood donations may weaken a person and are better avoided in Ramadan daytime unless there is a real need; ask a scholar for specific guidance.
What should I do if I deliberately broke my fast?
The person should repent sincerely to Allah, make up that day after Ramadan, and in certain cases (such as deliberate intercourse), there may be an additional prescribed expiation — ask a qualified scholar for exact rulings.
