Would the Burning of Incense During Fasting Hours in Ramadan Invalidate the Fast?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question

Would the burning of incense during fasting hours in Ramadan invalidate the fast?

Answer

No, burning incense in and of itself does not invalidate your fast. Instead, the deliberate intake of something with a perceptible body, like the smoke from the burning, through the mouth or nose would be invalidating.

However, if this is avoided, then there is no harm in burning such incense during fasting hours, just as there is no harm in taking a hot shower or sitting in a waiting room full of smokers, as such passive inhalation is unavoidable.

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah (2.323)]

Please also see The Complete Guide to Fasting

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani