Sleeping and resting whilst fasting Q- I spend my day in Ramadan asleep or at rest since I am unable to work due to my (experiencing) severe pangs of hunger and thirst, so does this affect the validity of my fast? A- This does not affect the validity of the fast, (rather) therein is an increase of reward due to the saying of the Messenger (peace be upon him) to ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): “Your reward is according to your hardship.” So, the more hardship a person experiences, the more his reward increases. He should (also) do what he can to reduce the effect of fasting such as cooling himself with water and resting in a cool place. – Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Fatawa Ramadan - Volume 2, Page 522, Fatwa No.487, Fatawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Page 509 Swimming whilst fasting Q- What is the ruling regarding swimming in the sea or in the pool during the day in Ramadan? A- We say (that) there is no harm in the fasting person swimming in the sea or in the pool, whether the pool is deep or otherwise, he can swim as he wishes and immerse himself in the water. However, he must - to the best of his ability - take care not to allow any water into his stomach. Swimming energises the fasting person and assists him in his fast; And that which energises (a person) in obedience to Allah, then there is no harm in it because it is from that which reduces the effects of hardship of worship for the worshipper and makes it easy for him. Allah says in the verses related to fasting: “...Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you...” [Qur'an, 2:185) And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “This religion is easy. No one becomes harsh and strict in the religion without it overwhelming him.” (Bukhari and Muslim) So there is no harm in swimming in the pool, just as there is no harm in taking a shower and other than that; And Allah has the Complete Knowledge (of all affairs). – Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Fatawa Ramadan - Volume 2, Page 524, Fatwa No.490, Fatawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Pages 509-510 Gargling medication whilst fasting Q- Does the use of gargling medication invalidate the fast? A- So long as he does not swallow any of the gargling medication, his fast is not invalidated. However, he should not use it unless it is necessary. – Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Fatawa Ramadan - Volume 2, Page 540, Fatwa No.516, al-Fatawa libni ‘Uthaymeen - Kitaab ad-Da'wah
