Fatwa ID: 01856

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

Is it permissible to pour medicine in the ear while fasting? A pious Muslim ENT surgeon says that there is no way medicine can reach stomach from ear as it is blocked by impermeable membrane. Only in some cases when there is aperture in the membrane. So, if an expert is sure that there is no possibility of reaching the medicine from ear to stomach, can he prescribe ear medicine to a patient who is fasting?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

It is mentioned in the classical books of Fiqh that applying eardrops breaks the fast. However, if water enters inside the ear, the fast does not break. (Ilmul Fiqh p.32 v.3)

Regarding your question, contemporary Jurists like Mufti Rafi Uthmani (D.B) has advised that the views of the E.N.T experts of our time should be taken, since there is no certainty with regards to the ear having a passage to the throat.

Therefore, if they are saying there is no passage to the stomach, then ear drops will not break the fast and the doctor can prescribe ear medicine to the patient to be taken whilst fasting.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham