Salaf-us-Saalih.com :: The Call of the Salaf is True Islam

Phlegm and Fasting
Shaykh Muhammad al’Uthaymeen, Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/424
Translated by Abu Adam Jameel Finch @ Embody Islam

As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum,

Bismillah,

All praise is due to Allah, and may exaltation and safety be granted to Muhammad, his family, his companions, and those who aid them. To proceed:

The esteemed Islamic jurist and scholar, Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen [d. 1420 AH], may Allah have mercy on him, delivered the following edict:

…Concerning this issue, there is another position in the Hanbali school of fiqh. It states that phlegm that reaches the mouth and is swallowed does not break the fast. And this is the most valid position.

This is because it didn’t leave one’s mouth, and swallowing is not considered eating nor drinking. So, if someone swallows it after it reaches his mouth, this action does not break his or her fast.

However, before someone swallows it, we say: ‘Don’t. Stay away from this affair,’ since the issue is one of differing.

Swallowing phlegm is not like swallowing saliva, rather, phlegm is something willingly brought to the mouth, and it is not normally present in one’s mouth. This is the distinction between it and saliva.

Thus, bringing phlegm to one’s mouth and swallowing it is more probable to break one’s fast than gathering saliva in one’s mouth and swallowing it. This is clear.

However, like we said previously, swallowing phlegm is impermissible because it contains elements of repulsiveness and harmfulness. (1)