Does applying vicks whilst fasting break the fast? 

Q. I was told that the applying of vicks whilst fasting breaks the fast as it enters the head and brain by using it. And if anything enters the stomach, head and brain whilst fasting, it will break the fast? Is this correct?

A. In principle, if the things that breaks ones fast reaches ones brain or stomach through the main channels of the body i.e. the mouth, nose, front or back passage etc., it will nullify ones fast.

In the enquired case, by applying vicks on the head, the actual vicks does not reach the brain. The vicks merely has an effect on the brain. As such, if a person applies vicks on the head and it has an effect of the brain, the fast will not be nullified. (Badaai’-us-Sanaai’ 2/93)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com