Can You Brush Your Teeth While Fasting in Islam?

In this article we will read about Can You Brush Your Teeth While Fasting in Islam? Fasting is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, in which Allah Almighty has made abstinence from all kinds of food, drink, and sexual acts obligatory. Brushing teeth is an important part of human hygiene, but knowing its rulings and issues while fasting is essential for every Muslim.

Views of Jurisprudential Schools, to understand this issue Can You Brush Your Teeth While Fasting in Islam? ” in detail, please study the following lines and paragraphs carefully so that all doubts are cleared up.

Hanafi School:

According to Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him), both the use of a miswak and a toothbrush are permissible during fasting, provided that the toothpaste does not reach the throat.

Radd al-Muhtar: “The Siwak is Sunnah for the fasting person, etc., throughout the day” (Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, vol. 2, p. 115)

Fatawa al-Hindiyya: “There is no harm in using the Siwak for the fasting person throughout the day” (Ala al-Din al-Haskafi, al-Dur al-Mukhtar, vol. 1, p. 432)

Categories: Ramadan, Prayer, The Holy Quran

Malikiyah School :

According to Malikiyah jurists, the use of the Siwak after noon is disliked, but brushing the teeth is permitted if the toothpaste does not go below the throat.

Muwatta Imam Malik: “Ibn Umar used to use the Siwak in the evening for the fasting person” (Kitab al-Sayyam, Bab al-Siwak for the fasting person)

Sharh al-Zarqani: “It is disliked for the Siwak to be used after sunset for the fasting person according to Malik” (Al-Zarqani, Sharh al-Muwatta, vol. 2, p. 215)

Shafi’ School :

In the Shafi’i school, the use of the Siwak is recommended throughout the day, and brushing the teeth is also permitted, subject to caution.

Al-Umm: “The miswak is pleasing to the Lord and pleasant to the mouth” (Al-Shafi’i, Kitab al-Sayyam, vol. 2, p. 105)

Mughni al-Muhtajah: “The miswak is recommended for the fasting person throughout the day” (Al-Shirbini, Mugni al-Muhtajah, vol. 1, p. 432)

Hanbali School:

According to Hanbali jurists, the use of a miswak is permissible throughout the day, and toothbrushing is also permissible.

Al-Mughni: “Siwak is recommended at all times of the day for the fasting person” (Ibn Qudamah, Al-Mughni, vol. 3, p. 115)

Kashaf al-Qinaa: “The fasting person does not break his fast with the taste of the toothpick that reaches his throat” (Al-Bahuti, Kashaf al-Qinaa, vol. 2, p. 318)

The opinions of the modern scholars and thinkers

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him):

“If the taste of the toothpaste is not felt and does not go down the throat, then brushing the teeth is permissible” (Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen, vol. 19, p. 280)

Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him):

“It is better to use only the toothpick, but if you use a toothbrush, be careful” (Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baz, vol. 15, p. 260)

Mufti Taqi Usmani:

“It is better to avoid toothpaste, but if you use it, then in small quantities” (Takmuleh Fuhay al-Ma’ali, p. 185)

“It is better to make Miswak your habit during fasting because it is also a Sunnah and there are no religious doubts about it.”

“Islam and Modern Society” (Page 156, Maktaba Ma’rif-ul-Quran Karachi)

Dr. Zafarul Haq Ansari:

“Medically, toothbrushing does not affect fasting; it is also permissible according to the Sharia” (Maqalat Tibbiya, Page 92)

Mufti Naeem-ur-Rehman:

“Miswak is a Sunnah, it should be preferred. There are doubts about toothbrushing.”

“Naeem-ul-Fatawi” (Volume 2, Page 89, Idara Ma’rif-ul-Islami Lahore)

Mufti Abdul Hameed Khan:

“It is permissible to use toothpaste without a toothbrush, but using toothpaste with it is makruh.”

“Ashraf Al-Fatavi” (Volume 4, Page 76, Ashrafia Library, Lahore)

Mufti Mahmood Ahmed:

“This is one of the problems of the new era. We tell students to avoid toothpaste as a precaution.”

Reference: “Taalim Al-Ahkam” (Volume 2, Page 98, Wifaq Al-Madaris Publishers)

Fatwas of International Scholars

Saudi Arabian Scholars:

The fatwa of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Al-Islamiyya University states: “Toothbrushing is permissible with caution” (Fatawa Al-Lujnat Al-Da’eema, Vol. 9, Page 45)

Indian Scholars:

The fatwa of Darul Uloom Deoband states: “Miswak is better, toothbrushing is permissible” (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband, Vol. 6, and Page 218)

Egyptian Scholars:

The fatwa of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif states: “It is permissible to brush teeth with modern means” (Fatawa Al-Azhar, Vol. 4, and Page 125)

Medical Perspective

According to modern medical research:

It is necessary to clean the mouth during fasting

Toothbrushing has positive effects on health

Bad breath can be prevented

Dr. Ahmed Al-Qadi:

“Brushing teeth during fasting is beneficial for health” (Majla al-Tibb al-Islami, vol. 12, p. 78)

Precautions when using toothpaste

Use a small amount of toothpaste. Use a brush with a light hand. Be careful when rinsing. If in doubt, prefer a miswak

Conclusion:

In all jurisprudential schools, brushing teeth while fasting is permissible, however, precautions are necessary. Miswak is a Sunnah of the Prophet which should be preferred. Caution is a condition in using modern toothbrushes.

In the paragraphs above, we have studied Can You Brush Your Teeth While Fasting in Islam? In detail.May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to understand the true spirit of fasting and act upon it.

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