Does Gastric Reflux Break My Fast?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

My saliva has started to taste sweet particularly whenever I wake up after some sleep in the evening. Being a doctor I know this is because of gastric reflux. I’m worried that this nullifies my fast. Do I have to fast again to make up for this?

Answer

I pray you are well. 

This would take the ruling of vomiting whist fasting. Involuntarily vomiting more than and mouthful – the amount that would require effort to keep in the mouth – and deliberately swallowing that amount would break the fast. 

Clearly, swallowing anything whilst asleep is not voluntary. Also, we there is no way of knowing the amount, so the default ruling of validity applies to your fast. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al Falah)

May Allah make us of those who fasted out of faith and expectation of a reward, and so had all their sins forgiven, as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us. (Bukhari)

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.