Question:
Assalamu‘alaikum SS Datuk Mufti. Does wearing lipstick during the day (while fasting) invalidate my fasting?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Answering the question asked, wearing lipstick during the day while fasting does not invalidate the fast on the condition that it does not enter the cavity. Just the feel of it on one’s lips does not invalidate a fast.
This is in accordance with the fatwa of ibn ‘Abbas R.Anhuma regarding tasting of food, where he said:
لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَذُوقَ الْخَلَّ أَوِ الشَّيْءَ، مَا لَمْ يَدْخُلْ حَلْقَهُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ
“It is permissible to taste vinegar and such, as long as it does not enter the throat while he is fasting.”
Musannaf Ibn Abi Syaibah (9277)
When someone taste food, surely, he could taste it (on his tongue) and as long as he does not swallow it, then his fast is valid. The same goes for lipstick. Just the taste will not invalidate the fast, unless if it is swallowed, then the fast is invalidated.
Most scholars discussed the issue of tasting food and most of them said that it is makruh (undesireable) but does not invalidate the fast. This is stated in Mughni al-Muhtaj (2/168) by al-Khatib al-Syarbini Rahimahullah, Nihayah al-Muhtaj (3/183) by al-Imam al-Ramli Rahimahullah and al-Fiqh al-Manhaji.
The same is stated by Syeikh al-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah Rahimahullah:
“Tasting food is makruh (undesirable) unless there is a necessity but it does not invalidate the fast. If there is a necessity (for food tasting), then it is the same as al-Madhmadhoh (gargling).” (See Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 25/266)
As for gargling [1], if there is some water left in one’s mouth and it is swallowed, then it is permissible because it is almost impossible to avoid it. (See Rad al-Muhtar, 2/98)
The same is applicable for brushing teeth with siwak or toothbrush while fasting, which is permissible according to the scholars. Of course, one will taste something while he is brushing his teeth, but as long as he does not swallow it, then our fast is valid.
Conclusion
Wearing lipstick during the day in Ramadhan (while fasting) does not invalidate a fast if it is not swallowed (enter the cavity), the ‘feel’ of lipstick on the lips does not invalidate the fast unless if it is swallowed afterwards.
In Sabil al-Muhtadin by Syeikh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari Rahimahullah said:
“Tasting food does not invalidate a fast if just the aftertaste reaches the throat, for the taste is athar (aftertaste) not the ‘ain (food itself).”
If someone taste food while fasting, then he spit it out but there is some aftertaste left and even if he swallows itthen his fast is still valid, for the ‘ain (food itself) has been spit out and just the athar (aftertaste) is left.
We would like to emphasize that wearing lipstick to beautify oneself in front of others excessively (tabarruj) is greatly discouraged in Islam. However, if it solely for the husband, it is considered as an adornment.
Wallhua’lam.
End Notes:
[1] Gargling here is meant as not excessively gargling while fasting. This is in accordance with the hadith of the Prophet PBUH to practise mubalaghah (excessive) gargling for those who are not fasting