Talking about invalidators and non-invalidators of fasting in Islaam, we are talking about those acts that may or may not necessarily render fast (ṣowm) in annulment, if done. It is very important to know all these nullifiers of ṣowm (fasting) which shall be discussed subsequently.

WHAT ARE THE NULLIFIERS OF ṢOWM?

The question as to what are the nullifiers or invalidators of Ṣowm could best be answered under two headings:

1. Invalidators which require paying back only (Al-Qodoo')

This comprises those nullifiers upon which a fasting person is required and mandated to make up the fast at later date. This requires the victim, whose Romadon fast was annulled, to have the annulled fast paid back after the month of Romadon has elapsed.Nullifiers and Invalidators under this heading includes the following:
a. Intentional passage of food and/or drink into the stomach, and not out of nisyaan (forgetfulness).
b. Vomiting intentionally.
c. Coming out of menstrual flow or that of post-childbirth, even for a minute before the sun set.
d. Masturbation and coming out of al-maniyy (sperm), intentionally and without forgetfulness.
e. Having the intention of breaking the fast before the sunset.
f. Denouncing the religion of Islaam before the time of if-toor (fast breaking). And provided he, at later time, refuted his initial declaration and thus, returned back to the religion of Islaam, he has to make up that particular annulled fast back.

If any of these, by any circumstance, happened, the affected days are to be made-up after the end of Ramadan.

2. Invalidators which require paying back and making of atonement (Al-qodoo' wal-kaffaaroh):

Under this, there is only one nullifier: 'Having sexual relation' during Romadon fast. The hadiith provided below is so well instructive:

"Narrated Abu Huraira: While we were sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) a man came and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have been ruined." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked what was the matter with him. He replied "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked him, "Can you afford to manumit (free) a slave?" He replied in the negative. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet (ﷺ) kept silent and while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) . He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am here)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to him), "Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity." The man said, "Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allah; there is no family between its (i.e. Medina's) two mountains who are poorer than I." The Prophet (ﷺ) smiled till his premolar teeth became visible and then said, 'Feed your family with it." (Reported by Bukoriy).

It is still subject of contention among Islamic jurists, as to whether a victim of this is required to pay back the affected day in addition to the stipulated atonement as clearly stated in the prophetic saying above. However, the outweighing opinion is that, only the atonement is required.

THE NON-NULLIFIERS

Turning to acts which are deemed to be non-nullifiers of ṣowm (fasting). They are:

• 1. Bathing during the day: Bathing does not invalidate the fast.
• 2. Tasting the food: Tasting food, if there is strong reason to do that, does not invalidate the fast unless the substance passes through the throat.
• 3. Rinsing the mouth: It is permissible and not of the invalidators. However, it must be done with precaution and lightly. The water must not pass through the throat.
• 4. Cupping and blood transfusion: The consensus opinion is that cupping and blood transfusion are both not invalidators of ṣowm (fast). Nevertheless, it was held that:
• (a) it is disliked if the person undergoing cupping and the person undergoing blood transfusion would be affected. And also that,
• (b) it is not accepted to undergo any of it provided the person will be prompted to have the fast break. That is, it is at best if it could be done after the fast breaking time. Allaah knows best.
• 5. Applying eye drop: If for health purposes, one is compelled to apply eye drop, there is no problem with that.
• 6. Taking Injection: Taking Injection that is not nutritive during the fasting period does not invalidate the fast. However, for those having their nutrition through injection, as contained in sohiih fiq-hus-sunnah, whether or not such injection contains nutritive substances, it does not nullify their fast.
• 7. Brushing the teeth: This act does not also invalidate the fast. Notwithstanding, the Shaafi`iyyah and the Hambaliyyah are still of the opinion of suspending the use of brush till after iftoor (fast breaking time). However, they did not say it invalidates the fast.
• 8. The extraction of mucus: Mucus coming out of the nostrils does not render the fast in annulment.
• 9. Unintentional eating, drinking and vomiting: Based on the Hadiith reported from the prophet, eating or drinking unconsciously does not invalidates the fast. However, if one persists and continue eating, even if it is just a mouthful, after he has recollected that he is fasting, then, he has to pay back that day. In the same vein, vomiting, unintentionally, has no effect on the fast.
• 10. Being in state of junub (i.e impurity): Impurity, in this context, is that liquid discharge that comes out from either of the two genders' organs be it: through copulation or as a result of "casting a look" on one's spouse or having a wet dream. Relying on the hadiith reported by Imaam Bukhari, if someone get discharge after casting a look on his wife, his fast is still intact. Also, he who gets up in the morning being in state of janabah after having affairs with his wife the previous night should just take his ritual bath and continue his fast. And as for he who had a wet dream, unless the discharge is through masturbation or that he himself is the cause of the discharge, such does not nullify his fast. So also, the females.