Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I could put them off as waswasa, however, what if 1 one of these actually does break the fast? This is why I think it is better to ask, with Ramadan coming up. Following are my questions:
1) I have a habit of sometimes putting the hair from my beard (just underneath my lower lip) into my mouth. Will this break my fast, if I swallow after doing this?
2) Should one avoid gargling during ghusl while fasting? Is it a requirement for ghusl?
3) When doing ghusl or wudu, we put a wet finger in our ears and I suppose water can go inside. It can also go inside while taking a shower. Will this break the fast?
4) Similar to above, what is the ruling on using q-tips to clean ears while fasting?
5) Are there any precautions with regards to washing one’s private areas, to keep in mind while fasting? Is it possible for the fast to break if water enters?
6) I have a (doctor says normal) condition where it is actually possible for something to go inside the place where urine exits from. For example, I often put tissue paper in my clothes to prevent filth from getting on the clothes, however, sometimes a bit of tissue paper does go inside where urine comes out from. Will this break the fast?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
(1) The fast would only be invalidate if you know that you swallowed a hair. But avoid this habit, especially in Ramadan.
(2) One still rinses one’s mouth during wudu and ghusl in Ramadan, but with caution and without exaggeration. Therefore, one would avoid gargling.
(3) No, this will not affect wudu.
(4) It doesn’t affect one’s fast.
(5) Normal washing of the private parts wouldn’t affect one’s fast in any way.
(6) That is not considered.
Please see the following related SunniPath Answers (http://qa.sunnipath.com):
Baseless Misgivings (Waswasa): Some General Principles
Misgivings: the fiqh of doing one’s best…
The Fiqh of Fasting
The Fiqh of Fasting: SunniPath Academy – Free Online Course & Hanafi FAQ
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani