Question # 206: Does the blood that comes out from between the teeth or from lips or gums invalidate the fast?

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: It is not permissible for a Muslim to swallow blood, whether it is a little or a lot, in Ramadan or otherwise, because blood is haraam unless it is swallowed by mistake or involuntarily, in which case there is nothing wrong with it; but if it is swallowed deliberately then the fast is broken. Also, please refer to Question # 401: Using Tissue to Stop Bleeding from Gums during Fasting.

Long Answer: It is said in Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta: “The blood that comes out from between the teeth does not invalidate the fast, whether it comes out by itself or because of another person hitting him…” It is not permissible for the Muslim to swallow blood, whether it is a little or a lot, in Ramadan or otherwise, because blood is haraam unless it is swallowed by mistake or involuntarily, in which case there is nothing wrong with it; [but if it is swallowed deliberately then the fast is broken.]

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked: Sometimes an individual may get a cut and he licks the blood that is coming out, which results in his swallowing the blood, or his gums bleed, so he swallows the blood that comes out. Is there anything wrong with that?

They replied: It is not permissible to swallow blood deliberately because it is haraam. Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) says in the Qur’an: “Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah…” (Soorah Al-Maidah, 5:3)

With regard to swallowing it unintentionally, there is no blame in that case. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah)

(The above reply is based on various answers by Islamqa.info)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam