Effect of Medical Procedure on Fasting

From the 9th Fiqh-Medical Seminar, convened at Casablanca, Morocco,during 8-11 Safar 1418, corresponding to 14-17 June 1997, under the eminent auspices of the Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty King Hassan II. The theme of the seminar was "An Islamic View of Certain Contemporary Medical Issues", and it was held jointly with the Hassan II Institute for Scientific and Medical Research on Ramadan, the ISESCO, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the World Health Organization Regional Office.)

There are 3 substances and actions that nullify the fasting according to the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the prophet, they are: eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. (refer [al-Baqarah 2:187]).

Therefore, the passing of any solid or liquid substance that can be described as food or drink, in any quantity through the gullet would nullify fasting.

Accordingly, the participants agreed unanimously that the following do not nullify fasting.

1. Eye and ear drops, and ear wash.
2. Nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue for the treatment of angina.
3. Insertion into the vagina of pessaries, medical ovules, vaginal washes, vaginal speculum, and doctor's or midwife's fingers during pelvic examination.
4. Insertion of the urethroscope into man or woman radio-opaque mediator X-ray diagnosis or bladder irrigation.
5. Tooth drilling, extraction, cleaning or the use of toothbrush, provided nothing is swallowed into the stomach, do not nullify fasting.
6. Injections through the skin or muscle or joints or veins, with the exception of intravenous feeding.
7. Blood donation or receiving blood transfusion.
8. Oxygen and anesthetic gases.
9. All substances absorbed into the body through the skin, such as creams, ointments, and medicated plaster.
10. Drawing blood samples for laboratory testing.
11. Catheter and media for arteriography of heart or other organs.
12. Endoscopy for diagnostic or intervention purposes.
13. Mouth wash, gargle or oral spray, provided nothing is swallowed into the stomach.
14. Hysteroscopy or insertion of an intrauterine device.
15. Biopsy of the liver or other organs.
    

A majority of participants added the following:

1. Nose drops, nose sprays, and inhalers.
2. Anal injections, anoscopes, or digital rectal examination.
3. Surgery involving general anaesthetic, if the patient decided to fast.
4. Machine or intraperitoneal renal dialysis.
5. Use of gastroscope, provided it does not entail the introduction of liquids or other substances into the stomach.

Above decission from the seminar of  "An Islamic View of Certain Contemporary Medical Issues" is agreed and supported by major ulama' such as Shiekh Al-Islam Ibn Taimiyah, Sheikh Dr Yusuf Al-Qardhawi, Sheikh Atiyah Saqr, Sheikh Mohammad Salih Al-Munajjid,Sheikh Ibn Utsaimin, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baaz and others.