Assalamu Alaikum
I suffer from asthma and at times need to use the asthma pump/inhaler. I would like to know if it is permissible for me to do so while fasting. will the use of the pump nullify my fast? If so then what should be done in case of an emergency?
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
From amongst the factors that break the fast is the intentional inhalation of any perceptible body, such as smoke or gas. Since the use of an asthma pump entails inhaling gas, it will nullify the fast.
If you are prone to get asthma attacks, try to take precautions or medication before or after the fast in order to avoid the attacks. However if there is a genuine need to use the inhaler while in the state of fasting, where there is fear of losing a life, a limb or of the sickness increasing, then it will be permissible to use it, and make up for the broken fast later on
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)
References
ويمنع من بيع الدخان وشربه … وشاربه في الصوم لا شك يفطر
ويلزمه التكفير لو ظن نافعا … كذا دافعا شهوات بطن فقرروا. (الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (2/ 395)