A commonly asked question regarding fasting in Islam is does throwing up break your fast? Determining whether or not throwing up breaks an individual’s fast depends on whether he/she vomited on purpose. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has emphasised in the below hadeeth that if a person vomits intentionally, it would break their fast, which they have to make up for later; however, if the individual vomited unintentionally, then their fast is valid and they do not have to make up for that fast.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever is overcome by vomiting, then he is not required to make up (the fast), and whoever vomits on purpose, then he must make it up.” [Jami At-Tirmidhi] (classed as Sahih by Al-Albani)
What does vomiting deliberately mean?
In Islam, vomiting intentionally includes sticking one’s finger down their throat, pressing their stomach, or sniffing or watching something that induces vomiting. If the individual has engaged in any such activities, his/her fast is nullified, and this requires them to make up for the lost fast on a later day. Whether the person vomits very little or a lot, the fast is invalid and they should ensure that they make up for it.
However, spitting or hawking (bringing phlegm up the throat) does not nullify the fast.
Islamic ruling concerning an ill person vomiting?
If a person should or cannot help throwing up due to an illness, then they are permitted to vomit. A person who is ill, should avoid fasting and must ensure that they receive proper medical care and nutrition. However, they should make up for the missed fasts. Allah says in the Quran:
فَمَنۡ شَهِدَ مِنۡكُمُ الشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَـصُمۡهُ ؕ وَمَنۡ کَانَ مَرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَؕ يُرِيۡدُ اللّٰهُ بِکُمُ الۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيۡدُ بِکُمُ الۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُکۡمِلُوا الۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُکَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰٮكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ
“… So whoever sights [the crescent of] thes month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 02:185]