Fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan, is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is not only about abstaining from food and drink but also about spiritual discipline and devotion. However, many people have questions about what exactly breaks the fast, particularly when it comes to eating, drinking, and unintentional errors.

What Clearly Breaks the Fast?

There are certain actions that definitely break the fast and require both making up the day and, in some cases, expiation (kaffarah). These include:

1. Intentional Eating or Drinking

• Explanation: If a person knowingly eats or drinks while fasting, the fast is broken.

• Ruling: The person must make up that day later. If it was done deliberately without valid reason, repentance is also required.

2. Intentional Vomiting

• Explanation: Forcing oneself to vomit breaks the fast.

• Ruling: The fast must be made up.

3. Sexual Intercourse

• Explanation: This is considered one of the most serious violations.

• Ruling: The fast is invalidated, and the person must fast for 60 consecutive days or feed 60 poor people as expiation, in addition to making up the day.

4. Menstruation or Postnatal Bleeding

• Explanation: Even if it begins just before Maghrib (sunset), the fast is invalid.

• Ruling: The day must be made up after Ramadan.

What Does Not Break the Fast?

1. Unintentional Eating or Drinking

• Explanation: If someone forgets they are fasting and eats or drinks, their fast is still valid.

• Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “If someone forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

2. Swallowing One’s Own Saliva

• Explanation: This is natural and does not affect the fast.

3. Brushing Teeth or Using Miswak

• Ruling: Permissible, but one should avoid swallowing anything.

4. Accidental Vomiting

• Explanation: If one vomits unintentionally, the fast remains valid.

Medical and Health-Related Issues

1. Injections (Non-Nutritive)

• Vaccines or injections not meant for nourishment (like insulin or antibiotics) do not break the fast.

2. Blood Tests

• Drawing small amounts of blood does not invalidate the fast, though donating large amounts is discouraged unless necessary.

3. Eye Drops or Nose Sprays

• If they reach the throat and have taste or sensation, some scholars consider the fast broken; others disagree. It’s best to avoid them during fasting hours unless medically needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not checking the time: Eating after Fajr or delaying Iftar unintentionally due to time miscalculation can affect your fast.

• Using foul language or engaging in arguments: While this doesn't break the fast technically, it reduces its spiritual reward.

• Forgetting to make intention (niyyah): Intention is essential, especially for non-Ramadan fasts.

Conclusion

Understanding what breaks the fast is essential to ensure one’s fasting is valid and rewarded. Islam makes allowances for forgetfulness and genuine mistakes but emphasizes sincerity and mindfulness. When in doubt, consult a knowledgeable scholar or follow the majority opinion from trusted Islamic sources.