Does Inhaling a Gas Break the Fast?

Answered by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra

Question

I am a chemistry student, and we have lab exercises very often. We work with chemicals, and some of those chemicals evaporate slowly, even at room temperature, so I can potentially inhale these gases. Also, opening a bottle or making a chemical reaction can release gases.

Will any of this break my fast?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

No, merely smelling gas or a fragrance will not break your fast. So chemical smells, cooking aromas, and perfumes generally breathed in and smelt does not affect the fast.

In general, it is only by intentionally inhaling something with a substance suspended in it, such as steam and medicated vapor (for example, to clear the sinuses) or smoking (or vaping) that you break the fast. All other possibilities of smelling gases, aromas, steam, fragrances, or second-hand smoke incidentally and normally should be disregarded, and doubts should be ignored. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdullah Anik Misra
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdullah Misra was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1983. His family hails from India, and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the SeekersGuidance The Global Islamic Seminary. Currently, He resides in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife and children. His personal interests include Indian history, comparative religion, English singing, and poetry.