Is chewing gum impermissible in Ramadan, and what are the alternatives if it is forbidden?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Chewing gum invalidates the fast if its sugary components or added flavors dissolve with saliva and enter the stomach, because this constitutes food entering the stomach. However, if it contains no substance that dissolves and enters the stomach, it does not invalidate the fast.
To improve breath odor, one may use a siwak, rinse the mouth, or use toothpaste, provided that nothing reaches the stomach. Otherwise, it should not be used. The breath odor resulting from an empty stomach due to fasting cannot be removed by a siwak or similar means, and it is more pleasing to Allah than the scent of musk.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/15701
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 15701
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy