Is there a Hadith saying vomiting does not break the fast?


ⓘ Supported by Al Medina 313.

Quran

Hadith

Islamic Text

Yes, there is a Hadith saying vomiting does not break the fast, and the Hadith is Sahih. The Hadith also clarifies that induced vomiting breaks the fast. So, the fast is only nullified if you make yourself vomit. Naturally vomiting does not break the fast.

Hadith
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ ذَرَعَهُ قَيْءٌ، وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ، فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاءٌ، وَإِنْ اسْتَقَاءَ فَلْيَقْضِ

(Sayidina) Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Whoever is overcome by vomit, whilst fasting, is not required to make up the fast. But whoever induced the vomit must make it (the fast) up.’ (Abu Dawood, 2380).

This Hadith is saying that vomiting does not break the fast, unless the vomiting is induced. It has also been narrated with similar wording in Tirmidhi (720), Ibn Maja (1676), Ahmad (10463) and many others. The Hadith has been authenticated by many leading scholars of Hadith.

Authenticity
وَإِسْنَادُ أَبِي دَاوُد وَغَيْرُهُ فِيهِ إسْنَادُ الصَّحِيحِ، وَلَمْ يُضَعِّفْهُ أَبُو دَاوُد فِي سُنَنِهِ وَقَدْ سَبَقَ مَرَّاتٍ أَنَّ مَنْ لَمْ يُضَعِّفْهُ أَبُو دَاوُد فَهُوَ عِنْدَهُ حُجَّةٌ إمَّا صَحِيحٌ وَإِمَّا حَسَنٌ. (المجموع شرح المهذب)

And the chain (Isnad) of Abi Dawood and others for it is Sahih. Abu Dawood did not deem it weak in his Sunan. And it has been repeatedly mentioned that whomsoever Abu Dawood did not deem to be weak is strong with him, either Sahih or Hasan. (Imam al-Nawawi, al-Majmoo Sharh al-Muhadhab).

من ذرعه الْقَيْء فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاء، وَمن استقاء فليقض. ثمَّ قَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيث صَحِيح عَلَى شَرط الشَّيْخَيْنِ. وَقد حسنه من الْمُتَأَخِّرين الْمُنْذِرِيّ فِي «تَخْرِيجه لأحاديث الْمُهَذّب»، وَالنَّوَوِيّ فِي «شَرحه» وَقَالَ: إِسْنَاده إِسْنَاد الصَّحِيح، وَلم يُضعفهُ أَبُو دَاوُد فَهُوَ عِنْده حجَّة إِمَّا صَحِيح أَو حسن. (البدر المنير في تخريج الأحاديث والأثار الواقعة في الشرح الكبير)

‘Whoever is overcome by vomit, whilst fasting, is not required to make up the fast. But whoever induced the vomit must make it (the fast) up.’ He (Imam al-Hakim) said this Hadith is Sahih according to the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim). Later scholars considered it Hasan, amongst them was al-Mundhari in his Takhreej of the narrations of al-Muhadhab. And al-Nawawi, who said in his commentary: ‘The chain (Isnad) is a Sahih chain. Abu Dawood did not deem it weak so it is strong with him, either Sahih or Hasan.’ (Imam Ibn al-Mulaqin, al-Badr al-Muneer).

Since we have such a clear Hadith saying vomiting does not break the fast, there should not be great confusion amongst Muslims regarding this issue. Even the question regarding authenticity has been unequivocally addressed by leading Hadith scholars. Therefore, there really is no excuse for people who get this ruling wrong.

Conclusion

The narration is clear and authentic. The Hadith says vomiting does not break the fast. The scholars of Islamic law (Fuqaha) made this ruling clear in their works too. Yet, we find so many Muslims believing that vomiting nullifies the fast.

Such misconceptions are due to a lack of knowledge, and reliance upon hearsay. So many Muslims fail to study  Islam despite it being an obligation to do so. Rather, they base religious practice upon that which is prevalent in their culture. Thus, they fall into repeated error.

If they had a regular Habit of reading the Quran and authentic Hadith, as well as studying the Islamic sciences, they would be saved from such misguidance. Studying Islam illuminates one’s religious practice, provides confidence and empowers the Muslim. Moreover, it is commanded by the blessed Prophet ﷺ. It is difficult to understand why so many Muslims deprive themselves of such benefits.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

-Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (06.04.2022)

See also:
Does vomiting break the fast

See also (video)