invalidate an act of worship performed for Allah except on the basis of clear evidence that will be a proof for us before Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.

“Or if he applies kohl that reaches his throat, or introduces something into his interior through any opening whatsoever …”

His statement, “Or if he applies kohl that reaches his throat”: Kohl is well known. Thus, if he applies kohl that reaches the throat, it invalidates the fast, because it has reached a hollow part of the human body, namely the throat. This is the reasoning of those who hold that kohl invalidates the fast. However, this reasoning is open to question. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, therefore held that kohl does not invalidate the fast, even if its taste reaches the throat (1). He said: This is not called eating or drinking, nor is it akin to eating and drinking; nor does it produce what eating and drinking produce. Moreover, there is no authentic, explicit hadith from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, indicating that kohl invalidates the fast. The basic presumption is that it does not invalidate the fast and that the act of worship remains sound until we have proof of what invalidates it. What he, may Allah have mercy on him, held is correct.

Accordingly, if a fasting person puts drops in his eye and finds their taste in his throat, this does not invalidate his fast. If, however, their taste reaches his mouth and he swallows it, then it becomes eating and drinking.

His statement, “Or introduces something into his interior through any opening whatsoever”: “Into his interior” means into a hollow part of his body, such as his throat, stomach, or chest. What is meant is that this invalidates the fast. Thus, if a person inserts an endoscope into the stomach until it reaches it, his fast is invalidated thereby.