Is the fast invalidated by swallowing phlegm or sticking one’s finger in one’s ear?

When the blessed month of Ramadan is approaching, the scholars in our
country start to distribute pamphlets explaining how to fast and what
breaks the fast.
One of the things they sayis that the one who swallows phlegm or
mucus, or puts his finger in his ear, has broken his fast. Is this
correct?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed concerning the
fasting person swallowingphlegm or mucus: does it invalidate the fast
or not? The correct view is that it does not invalidate it, because it
does not come under the same heading as food and drink.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy onhim) said: When the
scholars differ, the reference point is the Qur'aan and Sunnah. If
weare uncertain about a matter, as to whether it invalidates the act
of worship or does not, the basic principle is that it does not
invalidate it (unless there is evidence to the contrary). Based on
that, swallowing phlegm does not break the fast.
What matters is that one should leave phlegm and avoid trying to bring
it upto the mouth from the throat. But if it comes up to the mouth, he
should expel it, whether he is fasting or not. With regard to putting
drops inthe ears and whether thatbreaks the fast, that requires
evidence that will be proof for the individual before Allah, may He be
glorified and exalted, concerning breaking the fast.
End quote from Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 19/356
He also said: The more correct view is that phlegm does not break the
fast even if it reaches the mouth and one swallows it. It does not
break the fast but one should not swallow it, because the scholars
forbade that, because it is something off-putting and one should not
swallow it.
End quote from Liqa' al-Baab al-Maftooh, no. 152
Secondly:
As for putting one's finger in one's ear, that definitely does not
break the fast. In fact, even if one puts drops or medicine in the ear
and can taste it in the throat, that does not invalidate the fast
because there is no evidence to suggest that the fast is invalidatedby
that.

And Allah knows best.

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A very strange village

I have heard the following story from a pious and knowledgeable
brother. Hopefully it will be beneficial for all of us.
Once a Scholar of Islam was travelling and came across a village where
he noticed a very strange thing. He saw a store where a man was
selling bread. What was strange is that the man was charging $1 for
the fresh bread and $2 for the bread that was made a day before.
However, all the people were buying yesterday's bread though they were
more expensive than the fresh bread. The Scholar approached the bread
salesman and asked why the people preffered the old bread over the
fresh bread. The man said "The people of this village love the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) so much, that they prefer to buy
yesterday's bread over today's fresh bread because yesterday was
closer to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)."
Today, most of our love for Prophet Muhammad ismuch less than the love
for a single dollar. May Allah give us the understanding of this
beautiful religion of Islam.Ameen.

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Kind words shine like the moon

Mus'ab ibn Umayr was thefirst of ambassador of Rasul Allah in Madinah.
Before Rasul Allah had arrived in Madinah, Mus'ab taught ahl
al-Madinah about Islam and they began to enter the Deen.
This enraged Sa'd ibn 'Ubaadah, one of the chieftains of Madinah. He
sheathed his sword and set off for the head of Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr. When
he confronted Mus'ab he threatened, "Stop this nonsense you speak or
you shall find yourself dead!"
Mus'ab replied in the way that should be a lesson for us all. This man
before him did not stop at rudeness and ignorance, he wanted to slit
his throat.
Mus'ab said, "Shall you not sit and listen for a fewmoments. If you
agree with what I say then take it, and if not, we shall desist from
this talk." Sa'd sat down.
Mus'ab spoke about Allah and His messenger until the face of Sa'd ibn
Ubaadah's face shone like a full moon and he said,"What should a
person dowho wishes to enter into this Deen?" After Mus'ab had told
him he said,"There is a man, if he accepts this Deen, there shall be
no home in Madinah that will not become Muslim. Sa'd ibn Mu'aadh."
When Sa'd ibn Mu'aadh heard what was happening, he was infuriated. He
left his home to go and kill this man called Mus'ab ibn Umayr for the
dissention he had caused. He enteredupon Mus'ab and announced, "You
shall desist of this religion you speak of or you shall find yourself
dead!"
Mus'ab replied, "Shall you not sit and listen for a fewmoments. If you
agree with what I say then take it, and if not, I shall desist from
this talk." Sa'd sat.
Mus'ab spoke about Allah and His messenger until the face of Sa'd ibn
Mu'aadh's face shone like a full moon and he said,"What should a
person dowho wishes to enter into this Deen?"
Look at what a kind word did. Sa'd ibn Mu'aadh went home to his
Madinan tribe that night and announced to them all, "Everything of
yours isHaram upon me until you all enter into Islam."
That night, every home in Madinah went to bed with Laa ilaaha illa Allah.

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Ayath, hadees, Name of Allah - of this week

Surah Al Baqarah (2) verse 185:
"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide
to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between
right and wrong). So every one of youwho is present (at his home)
during that month should spendit in fasting, but if any one is ill, or
on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later.
Allah intends every facility for you; He does not wantto put to
difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to
glorify Him in thatHe has guided you; and perchance ye shall be
grateful. " [ 2:185 ]
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 2 :
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of
the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils
are chained."
Listen to this Dua'a:
Transliteration: (how it sounds)
Wa-i th q a la ibr a heemurabbi ijAAal h atha baladan a minan wa o
rzuqahlahu mina a l ththamar a ti man a mana minhumbi A ll a hi wa a
lyawmi al- a khiri q a lawaman kafara faomattiAAuhu qaleelan thummaa
dt arruhu il a AAa tha bi a l nn a ri wabi/saalmaseer
Meaning:
And remember Abraham said:"My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and
feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in Allah and the
Last Day." He said:"(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while will
I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment
of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!" [ 2:126 ]
Name of Allaah
AL-KHAFIZ
(The Abaser)

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