Using Eye Drops while Fasting

10-11-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

During the month of the ramadhan, can patients who make the fast use the ophthalmic drops by the day?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Muslim scholars differ in opinion about using eye drops while fasting.

1- The Maaliki and Shaafi’i Schools of jurisprudence are of the opinion that eye drops break the fast if they reach the throat though it is not usual. They believe that there is an outlet between the eyes and the throat.

2- The Hanafi School of jurisprudence are of the opinion – according to their correct view – that eye drops do not break the fast since they are not contrary to fasting even if one feels their taste in the throat. A group of scholars are also of this opinion. This is the opinion of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and a group of contemporary scholars.

The most correct conclusion is that eye drops do not break the fast. But it is preferable to delay using them till night just to avoid the difference of opinion. However, if one needs to use it during daytime, he may use it, and if he feels the taste in his throat, he should spit it out.

Allah knows best.