In this article, we’ll explore the Hanafi fiqh rulings on vomiting during a fast, including differences between intentional and unintentional vomiting, what counts as a “mouthful,” and whether any expiation is required.
We will also back up the explanations with references from Qur’an and Hadith for clarity and authenticity.
Vomiting While Fasting: Islamic Ruling Overview
In Islamic law, not every instance of vomiting will nullify the fast. According to Hanafi school of thought, vomiting only breaks the fast in two specific cases:
- Deliberately inducing vomiting (if the vomit is a mouthful in quantity).
- Deliberately swallowing vomit after it reaches one’s mouth.
Any other scenario does not break the fast.
This means that if you happen to vomit without intending to, your fast remains valid (assuming you don't swallow it back down). Likewise, vomiting small amounts intentionally (less than a mouthful) is overlooked and does not invalidate the fast.
The key factors to consider are intention and quantity, as explained below.
Intentional vs Unintentional Vomiting
Unintentional Vomiting (Does Not Break the Fast)
If you vomit involuntarily – for example, due to illness, motion sickness, or it “just happens” without your deliberate effort – then your fast remains intact, no matter how much comes out. There is no sin and no makeup (qada) required for the fast.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said (Tirmidhi 720):
“Whoever is overcome by vomiting, then he is not required to make up the fast"
This hadith makes it clear that an involuntary bout of vomiting does not invalidate the fast.
Islam does not punish you for something beyond your control, which is why accidental vomit does not break the fast.
Intentional Vomiting (Does Break the Fast if Mouthful)
On the other hand, making yourself vomit on purpose can break your fast, but only if the amount is significant.
One’s fast is broken (without expiation) only if one vomits a mouthful intentionally. A “mouthful” is traditionally defined as an amount of vomit that one cannot hold back in the mouth and would have to expel.
In simpler terms, if you intentionally induce vomiting and a sizable volume comes up (enough to fill the mouth), the fast is invalidated.
However, if a person deliberately vomits but the quantity is less than a mouthful, then the fast is not nullified. The Hanafi scholars mention that anything less is negligible in this context.
Intentional vomiting of a small amount is akin to spitting out a small impurity; it’s disliked but does not break the fast.
In the same hadith cited above, the Prophet ﷺ also said (Tirmidhi 720):
In the same hadith cited above, the Prophet ﷺ also said (Tirmidhi 720):
“…and whoever vomits on purpose, then he must make it up (i.e. fast another day).”
This indicates that deliberately causing yourself to vomit does invalidate the fast, requiring a makeup fast later, provided the vomit was a substantial amount.
What Counts as a “Mouthful” of Vomit?
The term “mouthful” (ملء الفم) has a specific meaning in fiqh.
It is generally explained as the amount of vomit that one cannot hold back in one’s mouth without difficulty. If the vomited material is so much that you would struggle to keep it in and have to spit it out, it is considered a mouthful.
If it’s less than that – for example, just a bit of food or acid reaches the throat or mouth – then it’s not a full mouthful.
Does Swallowing Vomit Break the Fast?
A separate scenario is when vomit reaches one’s mouth (whether unintentionally or intentionally) and then goes back down the throat.
The ruling here depends on whether the swallowing was deliberate or not:
- Unintentional Swallowing: If vomit came up to the mouth on its own and you did not mean to swallow it – for example, it happened quickly or you inadvertently swallowed before you could spit it out – then the fast remains valid. There’s no penalty for something involuntary or done by mistake.
- Deliberate Swallowing: If, however, you choose to swallow the vomit after feeling it in your mouth (when you could have spat it out), then this breaks the fast, irrespective of whether the vomit was intentional or not and regardless of the amount. In other words, intentionally swallowing vomit is treated like consuming food/drink, and it will nullify the fast.
So, if you ever vomit into your mouth, the best practice is to spit it out and rinse your mouth. Do not knowingly swallow it.
Suppose you burped and a bit of acidic fluid or food comes up into your mouth. If you immediately spit it out or it slips back down involuntarily, your fast is fine. But if you purposefully swallow that regurgitated bit, now you’ve ingested something from your stomach by choice – that will break the fast and you’ll need to make up that day later.
No Expiation (Kaffara) – Only Qada Required
Breaking the fast by vomiting (in the ways described above) does not require the heavy penalty (kaffāra) that is required for certain other violations.
In Hanafi fiqh, kaffara – fasting 60 continuous days or feeding 60 poor people – is only obligatory for deliberate eating, drinking, or intercourse during a Ramadan fast without excuse. Vomiting is not in that category.
If your fast is broken due to intentional vomiting or swallowing vomit, you only need to perform a make-up fast (qada) for that day later on.
If you’re frequently unwell and vomiting, it might be a sign to consider whether you qualify for a valid excuse not to fast that day. Consult a knowledgeable scholar or doctor in such cases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vomiting can break your fast, but only in specific circumstances.
According to Hanafi fiqh, intentional vomiting of a mouthful or more will invalidate the fast, and so will intentionally swallowing vomit.
In these cases, a person must perform a qada (make-up fast) for that day later on, although no kaffara is required.
However, unintentional vomiting does not break the fast, unless a person intentionally swallows the vomit afterwards.
May your fasts be accepted, and may you be granted good health and ease in your worship.
