Can You Taste Food While Fasting? The Simple Rule That Everyone Gets Wrong

Monday, August 18, 2025

Licked a spoon while fasting? If nothing went down your throat, your fast is fine — but if you knew beforehand it would inevitably reach the throat, you must make it up and pay expiation.

Can You Taste Food While Fasting? The Simple Rule That Everyone Gets Wrong

Tasting food with the tongue while fasting — if nothing of it is swallowed — does not invalidate the fast, even if, by accident, it reaches the throat. However, if one knows from the outset that it will inevitably reach the throat involuntarily, the fast is invalid and one must make it up (qada) and pay expiation (kafāra).

Does tasting food invalidate the fast?

Tasting food and similar acts, which ordinarily do not reach the throat, do not break the fast even if they accidentally do reach the throat. But if a person knows from the beginning that it will reach the throat involuntarily, then the fast is invalid and they must perform the qada and expiation (kafāra).

Here are some important points on this matter:

  • If nothing is swallowed: Tasting food with the tongue — provided nothing of it is swallowed — does not invalidate the fast.

  • If it reaches the throat unintentionally: If, without intention, some of what was tasted reaches the throat, there is no problem (the fast is not invalidated).

  • If one knows from the start it will reach the throat: If one knows from the outset that, without voluntary action, what they taste will reach the throat, then the fast is invalid and they must make it up (qada) and expiate (kafāra).

For more precise rulings according to your own marja‘ (religious reference), you can consult the treatises (risāla) of the marāji‘ (religious authorities)

  Labels: Religion  


Latest news  
For the First Time in History, Humanity Witnesses the Formation of a ‘Chain Ring’ in Deep Space! (Video) A Look at the World's Oldest Structures with Astonishing Architecture: From the Eiffel Tower to the Ancient City of Çatalhöyük! Ancient Iran Revealed: From Achaemenid Archers to Sassanian Gold, a Treasure That Captivates the Louvre Israeli Army Terrified of Hamas’ Shadow Unit Strongholds Sharp Criticism of the 12th Parliament Over Insulting Zarif: Capitulation Means Letting Foreigners Insult Our Officials Without Daring to Protest Spy Mission Ends? Disrupting America's Efforts to Pressure Iran Newspaper Close to Qalibaf Attacks Medicsian Government: Administration Retreating from Economic Goals, President Focused on Showcasing Achievements Harsh Criticism from a Fellow Citizen of Qalibaf: ‘You’ve Reduced Politics to Banality Power Is Shifting East — Are the Superpowers Changing? Meet 4 Adorable Pets You’ll Fall for in Your Apartment – From Cats to Hamsters + Photos Astonishing Discovery of a Mysterious Fossilized/Lost Forest That Vanished 22 Million Years Ago! +Photos The Assad Family in One Frame: Bashar Assad’s Childhood with His Father, Mother, Sister, and Brothers (Photo) Qajar Women and the Technology of Colorized Photos: Did Women of the Qajar Era Resemble the Characters in the Series ‘Jeyran’? Proper Back Pulldown Form on the Cable Machine: Ignoring These Tips Could Lead to Serious Injury The Miraculous Benefits of Running in Mountains and Nature: Stay Forever Young + Proper Techniques