The clear cases that break the fast, the forgetful eater, and the matters where scholars differ, such as cupping and modern medical procedures.
AI-generated English narration.
Most questions about fasting are about small details. Some matters are clear, and some are discussed by scholars. It helps to separate the two.
The clear cases
- Eating or drinking on purpose during the fasting hours breaks the fast, as does sexual intercourse (2:187 allows these only until the true dawn).
- Menstruation or postnatal bleeding ends a woman’s fast for that day, and she makes it up later (see the lesson on excuses).
Forgetfulness
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said that if somebody eats or drinks forgetfully, he should complete his fast, because what he ate or drank has been given to him by Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari 1933). A fast is not broken by an honest mistake of this kind.
Where scholars differ
- Cupping (hijama): Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ was cupped while fasting (Sahih al-Bukhari 1938). A separate report from Thawban says that the one who cups and the one who is cupped break their fast (Sunan Abi Dawud 2370, graded sahih by scholars including al-Albani).
- Modern procedures: injections, blood tests, inhalers, eye and ear drops and similar matters did not exist in the same form in early times. Contemporary scholars and fatwa bodies give different answers, often depending on whether something nourishes the body or reaches the stomach.
When in doubt, ask a qualified teacher before, not after, so you can act with confidence.
Key points
- Deliberately eating or drinking, and sexual intercourse, break the fast; menstruation and postnatal bleeding end it.
- Someone who eats or drinks forgetfully should complete the fast: the Prophet ﷺ said what he ate or drank was given to him by Allah.
- Cupping is a matter of scholarly difference, because two authentic reports appear to point in different directions.
- Modern procedures such as injections, blood tests and inhalers are discussed differently by contemporary scholars; ask a qualified teacher.
Qur’an
“It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. 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. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.”
Surah Al-Baqarah (2) — 2:187
Hadith
Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah."
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1933 .
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:The Prophet (ﷺ) was cupped while he was in the state of Ihram, and also while he was observing a fast.
Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1938 .
Narrated Thawban, the client of the Prophet (ﷺ):The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: A man who cups and a man who gets himself cupped break their fast.
Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 2370 .
Hadith text and grading above are shown as supplied by their source. HikmahBridge does not grade Hadith itself. See Sources & Methodology.
Scholarly notes
Cupping: the Hanbali school holds that cupping breaks the fast, relying on the report in Abu Dawud; the other schools hold that it does not, relying on the report in Bukhari and reading the other report differently. Modern procedures: contemporary scholars often distinguish between what nourishes (which they treat as breaking the fast) and what does not, but they apply this differently in specific cases. Follow your school or a trusted teacher.
FAQ
What if I swallow water while rinsing my mouth?
Scholars generally distinguish between an unintended slip and deliberate drinking. If you are unsure about your situation, ask a knowledgeable teacher.
What do I do if I broke my fast by mistake?
Forgetfully eating or drinking does not break the fast, so continue it. For deliberate breaking, see the lesson on making up fasts, fidya and kaffarah.
Report a correction. HikmahBridge is an educational resource, not a replacement for a qualified scholar or teacher.
Lesson 26 of 31 in New Muslim: First Steps