FatwaFederal TerritoriesFasting
IRSYAD HUKUM EDISI KHAS RAMADAN SIRI KE 287: ADAKAH UBAT TITIS TELINGA MEMBATALKAN PUASA?
Does using ear drops break the fast, especially for a patient with a torn eardrum who must apply the drops during the day?
Short answer
According to the established view of the Shafi'i school, putting something into the inner ear breaks the fast when it passes the limit of the skull bone, meaning beyond the ear opening.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum Edisi Ramadhan
- Topic
- Fasting
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
According to the established view of the Shafi'i school, putting something into the inner ear breaks the fast when it passes the limit of the skull bone, meaning beyond the ear opening. If the patient has only moderate pain and can bear it, applying the drops breaks the fast, and it is advised to take the medicine at times other than the daytime in Ramadan. If the patient cannot bear the pain except by applying the drops, periodic use during Ramadan days does not break the fast because of necessity. The fatwa also mentions a second view that ear drops do not break the fast while the eardrum is intact, and cases of a damaged eardrum require a doctor's examination.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Memasukkan sesuatu ke bahagian dalam telinga boleh membatalkan puasa apabila melepasi had tulang tengkorak kepala iaitu melepasi lubang telinga.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM EDISI KHAS RAMADAN SIRI KE 287: ADAKAH UBAT TITIS TELINGA MEMBATALKAN PUASA?”, 25 February 2026. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/edisi-ramadhan/6522-irsyad-hukum-edisi-khas-ramadan-siri-ke-287-adakah-ubat-titis-telinga-membatalkan-puasa. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/do-ear-drops-break-the-fast/