Does Swallowing Saliva Break The Fast?
Fasting is one of the most important forms of worship in Islam. It is also one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting in the Islamic month of Ramadan is obligatory for every adult Muslim, men and women. However, fasting outside of Ramadan is also allowed but not compulsory.
The obligation of fasting in Ramadan is prescribed in the Quran in the 185th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah.
Translation of relevant part
Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance to man and clear proof of the guidance, and criterion (of falsehood and truth). So when you see the new moon, you should fast the whole month….
Likewise, the obligation of fasting is also mentioned in the 183rd verse of Surah Al-Baqarahas being the same worship that was also enjoined on previous nations.
Translation
O believers, fasting is enjoined on you as it was on those before you, so that you might become righteous.
So, the significance of fasting is clearly established in the Quran. Similarly, as with other forms of worship, such as prayer (Salah), the etiquettes of fasting are also clarified in the Quran, Hadith, and Sunnah. Moreover, scholarly research also defines various aspects of fasting, including the timing of fasting, what breaks the fast, and what does not; everything is comprehensively defined. In this context, a common question is: “Does swallowing saliva break the fast?”
In this blog, we will explore the correct answer to this very important question.
Fasting – What Is Prohibited?
The foremost prohibition while fasting is to abstain from eating and drinking. The 187th verse of Surah Al-Baqarah defines it along with other prohibitions.
Translation of relevant part –
….. Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears clear from the dark line, then fast until the night falls…..
From the above verse, it is clear that fasting means abstaining from eating and drinking during the fasting hours, i.e., from dawn till sunset, though other etiquettes, permissions, and prohibitions also apply.
To better understand and find the correct answer to the question “Does swallowing saliva break the fast?”, it is important to understand that the basic idea behind fasting is to desist from eating and drinking during the fasting hours. It implies that eating or drinking during the fasting hours breaks the fast. The next step is to determine whether swallowing one’s own saliva falls under the definition of eating or drinking.
Swallowing Saliva Is A Natural Process
Saliva secretion in the human mouth is a natural process. Likewise, swallowing is a routine practice that most of us do not even realize we are doing. That means it is just a routine, natural process for humans to secrete saliva and swallow it. Moreover, swallowing saliva is not optional; no one can stop doing so. Hence, the consensus among scholars is that “it cannot be taken as eating or drinking” for the purpose of determining whether it breaks the fast. The reason is that it is just a natural process, and, more importantly, a secretion from inside the body rather than an intentional or optional act of a person.
What Medical Science Tells About Secretion and Swallowing Of Saliva?
According to medical science, the human body secretes 0.5 to 1.5 liters of saliva every day. It also tells us that when someone is fasting, the rate of saliva secretion is slightly decreased. On average, when a person fasts for 10 hours, about 210 ml of saliva is secreted in the mouth. Similarly, when a person is sleeping, saliva still continues to be secreted naturally. Medical science also explains that it is impossible for a person to forcefully stop swallowing saliva.
Hence, according to medical science, it is beyond a human’s capability to either stop saliva from being produced in the mouth or to stop swallowing it. However, another option is to spit the saliva rather than swallow it. Again, it is an impossible and impractical option, as per medical science. Just to understand, if a person is capable of spitting every bit of saliva secreted in his/her mouth, they will be dehydrated.
That’s why it is clearly explained by the medical scientists that:
- Secretion and swallowing of saliva is a natural process, not optional by any means.
- No one can intentionally or forcibly stop saliva secretion or stop swallowing it.
- It is neither possible nor practicable for a person to continuously spit out the saliva accumulated in the mouth. If somehow anyone manages to do so, their body will be dehydrated.
Does Swallowing Saliva Break a Fast – Scholarly Viewpoint
All the Scholars are unanimous that swallowing saliva does not break the fast. This agreed-upon ruling draws on the general understanding of what saliva is. It is agreed by the scholars that saliva is a natural secretion inside the human mouth and that it is not included in foods and drinks, by any means. They also agree that saliva falls under the category of substances that are purely the products of an internal natural process of the human body and do not fall under substances or materials that a human can intentionally produce.
Accordingly, a general but agreed-upon scholarly ruling on this very important question is as follows.
Quote
If a fasting person swallows his saliva, that does not invalidate his fast, even if there is a lot of it, and if that happens in the mosque or elsewhere. However, if it is thick like mucus, he should not swallow it; he should spit it out into a tissue or something else if he is in the mosque.
Un-Quote
The above ruling implies:
- Swallowing saliva does not break the fast, whether it is a little or a lot.
- Swallowing saliva does not break the fast if it is not thick like mucus.
- Swallowing thick saliva like mucus is not allowed while fasting; it may invalidate your fast.
- Thick saliva, like mucus, should be spat out to prevent breaking the fast.
- Swallowing saliva does not break the fast, even if it occurs inside a mosque or elsewhere.
Scholars also opine that:
- Saliva swallowing does not break the fast because it is a natural process that cannot be avoided. And the general Islamic principle is that a natural process that cannot be avoided does not invalidate a worship.
- When praying or reciting the Quran while fasting, swallowing saliva, even in large amounts, is allowed; it does not invalidate the fast.
- If a person intentionally gathers saliva and swallows it, his fast will not break, although this is not recommended and should be avoided.
Finally, the issue of swallowing saliva should also be considered in light of the 286th verse of Surah Al-Baqarahwith the spirit of Islamic teachings.
Translation of relevant part
God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity
Conclusion
Islam is a practical religion that provides guidance on every aspect of a human life, whether it is a small or a big issue. At the same time, Islam also makes worship easy and within a person’s capability. Fasting, an obligatory worship, is one such example. Although an obligation, it is exempted for those who are sick or are traveling. That’s the spirit of Islamic teachings. The question “Does swallowing saliva break the fast?” finds its correct implication in the same spirit of Islam. Since the secretion and swallowing of saliva is a natural process from within the human body, the fast does not become invalid by doing so. However, the scholars also suggest that a thick saliva, like mucus, should not be swallowed, as it may break the fast.
The fast breaks if someone intentionally eats or drinks. Since saliva is a natural internal secretion, it does not fall under the category of intentional intake of food or drink. That’s why scholars agree that swallowing saliva, unless it is thick like mucus, does not break the fast.
