Does Washing an Open Surgical Wound Break My Fast in Ramadan?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Can I wash an open surgical wound in my armpit if it remains unhealed by Ramadan?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Washing an open surgical wound in your underarm area does not break the fast. The only open wound that would act as a recognized entry point into the body cavity is that of the stomach (gut) or the head. [Maydani, al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.