Is it permissible to taste food while fasting? Here is the legal explanation
Is it permissible to taste food while fasting? This question may arise for Muslims who own culinary businesses or simply prepare meals for breaking the fast. There are certain reasons that can invalidate one’s fast, including eating and drinking, which every Muslim must refrain from until the time of breaking the fast. The issue of tasting food while fasting has been explained in various opinions among scholars. For more details, see the following explanation.
Key points:
The majority of scholars permit tasting food while fasting, whether it is a sunnah fast or Ramadan, as long as it does not go down the throat. This refers to a narration from Ibn Abbas who permitted tasting as long as it does not enter the throat.
Most scholars consider the law of tasting food while fasting to be undesirable (makruh) if done without a clear reason. However, it is not undesirable if there is a need, such as ensuring the taste of the dish for a cook or someone who has dependents.
The way to taste food while fasting so that it does not invalidate the fast is to put a little food on the tip of the tongue, taste it as needed, and then immediately spit it out without swallowing it. Caution is very important to ensure that no part of it enters the throat and invalidates the fast.
Is it permissible to taste food while fasting?
It turns out that tasting food while fasting does not automatically become a reason to invalidate it. However, it is important to understand the need for caution in doing so to ensure that the food is not swallowed, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Quoting from the book ‘Complete and Practical Book of Women’s Fiqh’ by Abdul Syukur Al-Azizi, the majority of scholars agree that tasting food is permissible even when a Muslim is fasting, whether it is a sunnah fast or during Ramadan. However, it is recommended for anyone who does so to remain cautious so that the food being tasted, whether it is broth or another part, does not go down the throat. This is because when the food being tasted is swallowed, it can become a reason to invalidate the fast. This was stated in a hadith narration. As narrated by Ibn Abbas r.a.:
‘It is not a problem for someone who is fasting to taste vinegar or something, as long as it does not go down the throat.’ (HR. Ibn Abi Syaibah. Sheikh Albani opined that this narration is hasan).
The same was also explained in a book by Dr. Muh. Hambali, MAg, entitled ‘Daily Muslim Kaffah Guide from Cradle to Death’, which states that tasting food while fasting is permissible. The permissibility of this matter has also been conveyed in the same narration. The evidence is taken from the words of Ibn Abbas that:
‘It is not a problem to taste vinegar or other food as long as it does not go down the throat.’ (HR. Bukhari).
What is the law of tasting food while fasting?
Then, what is the law of tasting food while fasting? Based on the book ‘Questions and Answers about Women’s Fiqh of the Four Schools of Thought’ by A. R. Shohibul Ulum, most scholars agree that the law of tasting food while fasting is undesirable (makruh). However, this undesirability does not apply in an emergency or other necessity. For example, if a Muslim intentionally tastes food only because of curiosity or wants to get pleasure without any urgent situation, then it could potentially be undesirable. It is different for someone who is forced to taste the food. For example, someone who is worried that the dish will not taste good or be delicious with the aim of ensuring its taste. Then in the book ‘Daily Fiqh Book: 365 Questions about Fiqh for All Everyday Problems’ by the same author, a statement was conveyed about whether it is undesirable or not to taste food while fasting. In Asy-Syarqawy, it was stated:
‘It is undesirable to taste food (for someone who is fasting) if it is for someone who has no interest, while for a cook, whether male or female, or someone who has a small child who chews food for him, then it is not undesirable to taste the food for them as was stated by Imam Az-Ziyaadi.’
Scholars of the Hanafi school of thought state that if a fasting person tastes food until it reaches the stomach, then it is undesirable. However, it is permissible for women to taste food only to know the taste. The same was also conveyed in the opinion of the Maliki scholars who believe that tasting food while fasting is undesirable. If they want to taste it, then they must spit it out so that it is not swallowed. If the food is swallowed, whether intentionally or not, then it is considered invalid. Tasting food is not undesirable for bakers or people involved in the culinary field according to the Shafi’i school of thought. It becomes undesirable if there is no reason that makes it very necessary. If a person tastes food while fasting without any urgent need, the Hanbali school of thought considers it undesirable. Conversely, if the action is necessary, then it is not undesirable. Based on the explanation above, it can be understood that most scholars agree that tasting food while fasting can be undesirable or not undesirable. In the case of undesirable, it means that a Muslim does it intentionally without a clear reason. It is not undesirable if they do it because they are forced or for a clear reason. Wallahu a’alam.
How to taste food while fasting
Then, how to taste food while fasting so that it remains safe and does not invalidate it? Still quoting from the book ‘Daily Muslim Kaffah Guide from Cradle to Death’, a Muslim should…