[Q 556] Ruling on Oral Gel in Fast

QUESTION:

Is Bonjela able to be used whilst fasting?

ANSWER:

In the state of Sawm (fasting), one should refrain from applying the mentioned gel for mouth ulcers and the like, because by using it there is a strong likelihood that its components may pass down the throat. If even a tiny particle of this medicine passes below the throat, the Sawm (fast) will break. However, if with complete precaution no part or taste reaches the throat, then the Sawm will remain valid; but without necessity, doing so is not free from Karahah (dislike), because in the state of Sawm, tasting anything without a valid excuse is Makruh (disliked in Shari‘ah).

For the Sawm to break, the Fuqaha (Islamic jurists) have clarified that it is necessary for something to enter the body through a Manfaz (recognized passage). As stated in Radd al-Muhtar:

“المفطر انماھوالداخل من المنافذ للاتفاق.”
(Radd al-Muhtar ma‘a Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Sawm, Bab Ma Yufsidu al-Sawm wa Ma La Yufsidu, Vol. 2, pp. 395–396, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut)

Tasting without necessity during Sawm is Makruh, as mentioned in Fatawa ‘Alamgiri:

“وكره ذوق شيء، ومضغه بلا عذر كذا في الكنز”
(Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitab al-Sawm, Al-Bab al-Thalith, Vol. 1, p. 199, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut)

Regarding the use of tooth powder (Manjan) while fasting, A‘la Hadrat, Imam Ahl al-Sunnah, al-Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رحمه الله تعالى عليه states: “In the state of Sawm, one should not use tooth powder.”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Vol. 10, p. 511, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

At another place, he states: “Tooth powder is not Na-Ja’iz (impermissible) or Haram (forbidden) provided there is sufficient assurance that none of it will enter the throat; however, without genuine necessity, it is certainly Makruh (disliked).”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Vol. 10, p. 551, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Answered by: Qazi Muteeb Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 22nd February 2026.