Is it permissible for a diabetic patient suffering from dry mouth and bad breath to chew gum to moisten their mouth and prevent the odor, especially during prayer?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is disliked for a worshipper to place something in their mouth, as it contradicts khushu' (devotional humility) and may lead to not pronouncing the letters correctly. Chewing invalidates the prayer if it is excessive; some jurists have estimated this to be three continuous movements. If placing chewing gum in the mouth is necessary for recitation or to avoid bad odors, without invalidating chewing or swallowing, then there is no harm in it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/124631
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 124631
- 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