Praise be to Allah
The fast is not
broken by the insertion of an instrument into the brain, vertebra or spinal
column for the purpose of examination or taking a sample from it.
The Islamic Fiqh
Council has issued a statement on things that break the fast, as follows:
The following
things do not have any effect on the fast:
1.
Eye drops, ear
drops, ear syringing, nose drops and nasal sprays – so long as one avoids
swallowing any material that may reach the throat.
2.
Tablets or
lozenges that are placed beneath the tongue for the treatment of angina
pectoris etc., so long as one avoids swallowing any material that reaches
the throat.
3.
Vaginal
pessaries, douching, use of a speculum, or internal digital examination.
4.
Introduction of
a scope or coil (IUD), etc., into the uterus.
5.
Introduction of
a scope or catheter into the urethra (male of female), or injection of dyes
for diagnostic imaging, or of medication, or cleaning of the bladder.
6.
Drilling of
teeth (prior to filling), extraction or polishing of teeth, using a miswaak
or toothbrush, so long as one avoids swallowing any material that reaches
the throat.
7.
Rinsing,
gargling or applying topical treatment in the mouth, so long as one avoids
swallowing any material that reaches the throat.
8.
Injections,
whether subcutaneous, intra-muscular or intra-venous – with the exception of
those used for purposes of nutrition.
9.
Oxygen.
10. Anaesthetics,
so long as they do not supply nutrition to the patient.
11. Medicines
absorbed through the skin, such as creams, lotions and patches used to
administer medication through the skin.
12. Introduction
of a catheter into the veins in order to examine or treat the vessels of the
heart or other organs.
13. Laparoscopy
for the purpose of diagnosis or surgical treatment of the abdominal organs.
14. Biopsies
of the liver and other organs, so long as this is not accompanied by the
administration of nutrients.
15. Gastroscopy,
so long as this is not accompanied by the administration of nutrients.
16. Introduction
of medicine or instruments into the brain or spinal cord.
17. Involuntary
vomiting (as opposed to self-induced vomiting).
And Allah knows
best.