using smokeless tobacco; does it break the fast?

One man suffers from anxiety, tension and depression, and he has been
using a remedy for 10 years. From the beginning of Ramadan this year
he experienced increased anxiety and could not sleep until 10 a.m. For
a long time he has been using smokeless tobacco (which is a form of
tobacco that is placed inside the mouth, under the lower lip --
sometimes known as "dipping tobacco" or "moist snuff"). He has been
using it for twenty-five years and he used it in Ramadan this year. He
also used it last year during the fast because, according to what he
says, it reduces the pain and anxiety he is sufferingfrom. What does
he have to do with regard to those days when he brokethe fast (if it
is regarded as breaking the fast)? It was approximately 13 days this
year and 5 days in Ramadan last year. Should he also feed the poor?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
We ask Allah, may He be exalted, to give you and your father, and all
the Muslims, well-being, for He is most generous and kind.
Secondly:
"Smokeless tobacco" is a type of tobacco that is notburned and may be
mixedwith other substances; it is used by some people who place it in
their mouths. The ruling on thissubstance is no different from the
ruling on cigarettes.
Shaykh 'Abd-Allah ibn Jibreen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
There is no doubt that cigarettes, nargilah (shisha), smokeless
tobacco and the like are haram, because they are all evil and
unlawful. Allahsays (interpretation of themeaning):
"He allows them as lawfulAt-Tayyibât (i.e. all good and lawful as
regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods), and prohibits them as
unlawful Al-Khabâ'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things,
deeds, beliefs, persons and foods)"
[al-A 'raaf 7:157].
And because they damagepeople's health and cause serious diseases that
may lead to death, and Allah says (interpretation of themeaning):
"And do not kill yourselves"
[al-Nisa' 4:29]
"and do not throw yourselves into destruction"
[al-Baqarah 2:195].
And because it is extravagance and a wasteof money on something that
is of no benefit, and the spendthrifts are the brothers of the devils
(cf. 17:27). We advise anyone who is tested with any of these things
to repent and give it up immediately, and to resolve not to go back to
it, and to seek the help of Allah in quitting it, and to be patient
for a few days until he is able to give it up completely and put an
end to the pain that it causes him. And Allah is the Healer. End quote
from Fataawa Islamiyyah, 3/446
Thirdly:
Smokeless tobacco breaksthe fast, because when it is placed in the
mouth it dissolves and some particles of it enter the stomach with the
saliva.
The scholars of the Standing Committee wereasked:
What is the ruling on using smokeless tobacco in general, and what is
the ruling on using it during the day in Ramadan in particular? Does
it break the fast if someone uses it during the day in Ramadan? Please
note that some of the people of Tihaamah Qahtaan use smokeless tobacco
during the day in Ramadan and claim that itdoes not break the fast.
They replied: Smokeless tobacco is an evil substance because it is
composed of an evil, haraam substance. If it is used by one who is
fasting, in addition to it being sinful, it also breakshis fast, the
same as any other substance that breaks the fast.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah sent blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his Family and Companions. End
quote.
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Abd-Allah Aal al-Shaykh, Shaykh 'Abd-Allah
ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, vol. 1, 22/142
Based on this, your father has to make up the days that he broke the
fast by using smokeless tobacco during last Ramadan and the one
before. But if yourfather did not know that smokeless tobacco breaks
the fast, then his fast is valid, because the one who fasts is excused
for ignorance of what breaks the fast.
For more information please see the answer to question no. 93866
You should try to advise your father to give up thisevil substance.
Tell him that it is of no benefit in treating insomnia and anxiety;
rather it causes more insomnia and anxiety. We ask Allah to guide your
father and accept his repentance.
For more information on dealing with stress and anxiety,

And Allah knows best.