Does Water Entering the Throat During Nose Rinsing Break the Fast?
Question
New Revert – Is this Invalidating my Fasts? Assalamu ‘alaykum, I have been Muslim a few months now and this is my first Ramadan. I’ve been advised to stick a madhab for simplicity so if you could kindly answer based on the Hanafi madhab. When making ghusl, how far must I sniff water up my nose? I see terms such as hard bone, soft bone but nobody clarifies what they actually mean. If you could please explain it simply i.e., how many centimetres up my nostrils must it travel Sometimes (even when sniffing gently), some of the water travels up my sinuses and then enters my mouth. I of course spit the water out, but does this movement break my fast? Sometimes when the above happens, I feel some water touch the back of my throat, again I don’t swallow it. Does this break my fast? Jazakallah, Layla
Islamic Ruling & Answer
Walekumussalam,
(1) In Hanafi fiqh, you only need to wash the soft inner part of the nostril, not the deep upper hard area.
simple measurement:
About 1–2 centimetres inside the nostril (the part that is soft and easy for water to reach).
You do not need to pull water deep up into the sinuses.
Reference :
“وفرضه المضمضة والاستنشاق”
Al-Hidayah
Translation:
“Its obligations (of ghusl) are rinsing the mouth and taking water into the nose.”
(2) If water accidentally reaches the back of the throat but you do not swallow it, your fast is still valid.
The fast only breaks if someone intentionally swallows it.
Reference :
“إذا وصل الماء إلى حلقه بغير اختياره لا يفطر”
Bada'i al-Sana'i
Translation :
“If water reaches his throat without his choice, he does not break the fast.”
May Allah make your journey in Islam easy for you, accept your fasting and worship, increase you in knowledge and confidence, and keep your heart firm upon the truth. Ameen.
Answered by
Mufti Tosif Qasmi
February 21, 2026 · Updated June 18, 2026
Researched & verified under our editorial & answer-review policy.
Related Questions
Ruling on missed ramadan fasts due to menstruation
حیض کے اندیشے میں طوافِ زیارت کا حکم
Can Parents Ask Their Indebted Son to Finance Their Hajj?
Mard aur aurat ke kafan mein farq
Ghusl and doubt after waking up
Can one be Muslim without making prayers?
Support AskMuftiOnline
Your contribution helps scholars answer more questions and keeps this platform free for everyone.
Contribute Now