Swallowing phlegm whilst fasting

Reference: Fataawa Ramadhaan – Volume 2, Page 540, Fatwa No.517
Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen – Volume 1, Page 515

Question: Does the swallowing of phlegm break the fast?

Response: According to the madh.hab [of Imaam Ahmad], if the phlegm does not reach the mouth, then it does not break the fast. If, however, it does reach the mouth, then spit it out.

[Regarding the issue of when it reaches the mouth] then there are two opinions amongst the people of knowledge:

From amongst them are those who say: Indeed it does break the fast because it is analogous to food and drink.

And from amongst them are those who say: It does not break the fast because it is analogous to saliva, since saliva does not break the fast even of he gathered up saliva [in his mouth] and swallowed it, then his fast would not be invalidated.

And this is the preponderant opinion because there is no evidence as to the invalidity of his fast.

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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