Q: Nose-drops and ear-drops are mentioned as breaking the fast, but is it a condition that the drops reach the body cavity (jawf) or brain? This would almost certainly never happen with ear drops, as there is a barrier between the ear and the main body cavity.
A: It is a condition that the ear-drops reach the body cavity.
What you are referring to is a sound observation, based on modern-day medical evidences. Classically the scholars mention the ear as being an invalidating entry point, from which a substance would reach the body cavity. However, modern-day medicine negates any such connection, unless there is a hole in the eardrum.
As such ear-drops would not invalidate the fast unless one has a hole in the eardrum.
However, as a precaution one should avoid using ear-drops while fasting.
[Ref: Mufti Rafi Usmani, Dawabit al-Mufattirat]
Aadiel Moosagie (Mufti)
Council of Ulama Eastern Cape
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