Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah was asked the following question:
Question:
“What is the ruling on using nasal drops during Ramadan being it usually reaches to the throat?”
Answer:
“If it doesn’t reach to the throat or if the taste of it reaches only without the actual liquid of the nasal drops reaching, then that doesn’t bring any harm. As for if it is a big portion and we come to know it reaches to the stomach, then it will be impermissible to use during an obligatory fast [i.e Ramadan] except in a state of a daroorah wherein he breaks his fast and makes up for that day.” End quote.
Listen / Download
Ash-Shaykh Bin Baaz rahimahullah said:
“Nasal drops, however, are not permissible during Sawm, because the nose is an inlet. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed saying: Exaggerate Istinshaq (sniffing water into the nose and then expelling it), except when you are fasting. Anyone who does this must make up for that day, based on this Hadith and other reported Hadith with the same meaning, if they notice the taste of drops in their throat. May Allah grant us success.” End quote. [Reference]
The Mufti, Shaykh Abdul Azeez Aal Ash-Shaykh was asked the following question:
Question:
“I ask concerning the ruling of nasal drops for a person fasting [since] some of the mashayikh have permitted it?”
Answer:
“By Allaah from what is well-known is that the nose is an inlet to the throat. Therefore, if the nasal drops are confined and doesn’t go beyond the nasal area…[word unclear] due to a specific reason. As for if it were to reach to the throat, then the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam said to the Sahaabi Laqeet bin Sabirah: “Exaggerate Istinshaq [sniffing water into the nose when performing wudu], except when you are fasting.” End translation. Audio attached below.
Thus, it [this hadith] indicates that the drops which enter the throat from the nose passage is what breaks the fast.
Listen / Download
Ash-Shaykh Muqbil rahimahullah, said:
“… A way out [in this matter is] if he is sick and is in need of medical treatment and the doctors have prescribed for him to use it [i.e the drops] during the daytime. Then [in this case] we advise him to break his fast and make up for that day. However, if he chooses not to, then nothing breaks his fast except what goes down his throat.” End translation. [Min Fiqh al-Imam Waadie (2/66)]
Translated by
AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
