1. Mistake of Spitting Saliva when Fasting;

Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad hafidhuhallah said:

“However, a person swallowing his own saliva, then there is no harm in this. This is necessary. Some people spit during the duration of their fasting and this is not correct. However, the intent is the saliva of other than himself…”

[Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 275]

2. Ruling on Using Nicotine Patch for Smokers

Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen rahimahullah was asked:

Question:

Surrounding the subject of smoking, some pharmacies sell medical patches that are placed on the body to give the body what it needs of Nicotine for twenty four hours as steps to stop smoking. The question: if it is placed in the night for twenty four hours, then another placed, does a person break his fast in Ramadan when using it?

Answer:

No, he does not break his fast during Ramadan and he can use it. Rather it is an obligation for him to use it if it is a way to stop smoking. There is no harm for a person to leave of something unlawful, step by step because Allah did not prohibit alcohol altogether in one time. Rather he made that prohibition in stages. So first He made it lawful, then He clarified its harms, then He prohibited it in some times over others then He prohibited it in general…”

[Jalasaat Ramadaaniyyah year 1415 H no. 1]

3. The Ruling on Using Mouth Spray

Question:

You find some people, specifically employees, that when they want to leave the house, (they) use very strong fragrances. They use a mouth spray to improve breath after (a) long sleep after fajr. So what is the ruling on that, may Allah facillate for you good?

Answer:

Then there is no harm in a fasting person using a good scent, whether that be on his head, beard, or clothing. As for using mouth sprays, then there is no harm in this also if it does not reach the stomach. As for if it reaches the stomach, then it is not a must to use it, for that will expose him to breaking his fast. If the spray does not pass the mouth, then there is no harm in using it to freshen his mouth or use it to make breathing easy for him as some people are afflicted with asthma and the likes. I love that the one who uses this spray to freshen his mouth return to the doctors because I heard that the result of using a freshener in the mouth is vapor and a foul smell in the mouth. So it is necessary not to use that when fasting or other than it until he asks the doctors. And Allah is the one who facilitates”

[Noor ‘ala Darab no. 74]

4. The Ruling on Using a Puffer with a Mint Scent

Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen rahimahullah said it is fine [See: Jalasaat Ramadaaniyyah year 1415 H no. 1]

5. The Ruling on Using Flavored Miswak:

Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad hafidhuhallah was asked:

Question:

What is the ruling on miswaks flavored with lemon or other than that?

Answer:

It does not affect. As long as it is something entered into the mouth and removed, it does not affect”

[Sharh Sunan Ibn Majah no. 122]

6. What to do when food regurates until it reaches the mouth?

Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen rahimahulllah said:
“What is apparent is that sometimes a person burps and some food from the stomach comes out. So we say: if it reaches the mouth, then it is not allowed to swallow it. If you swallow it and you know, then you broke your fast. However, he spits it out, either in a handkerchief if you have a handkerchief, or in the edge of your thawb. If there is still food remaining he spits it out until he removes the food because if you spit once or twice you will remove the food, then it will not harm you.  However, if someone swallowed it and he did not know that (swallowing it) was unlawful, then his fast is correct. This is a necessary principle we should take: everyone who does something from the things that break the fast and he is ignorant of that, then his fast is correct and there is no Qadah (make-up) required…”

[Jalasaat Ramadaaniyyah year 1412 H no. 1]

7. Using the Timetables to Determine when to Break Fast and When to Start

Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan hafidhuhallah said:

“As for the timetables which are relied upon, then they are used. The timetables that are relied upon are used, like from Umm ul-Qurra with us or the Qatari timetable which is tested and accurate, then they are relied upon. They are relied upon. As for the timetables which are not known who made them, then they are not relied upon. It is not known the mistakes in them and if they are accurate. As for the timetables that are reliable and tested, then these are relied upon. Yes”.

[Sharh Kitab us-Siyaam min Bulugh al-Maram no. 1]

However, these calenders or timetables are used for approximation not absolute reliance. [See the fatwa of the Lajnah here]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan