Question:
Assalamu‘alaikum SS Mufti. What is the ruling of tasting food while fasting?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the many 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.
Tasting food using the tip of the tongue is permissible and it does not invalidate the fasting according to the chosen opinion. The situation is such that a cook or housewife is cooking in the kitchen. Ibn Abbas R.Anhuma said:
لاَبَأْسَ أَنْ يَذُوْقَ الخَلَّ أَوْالشَّيْءَ مَالَمْ يَدْخُلْ حَلْقَهُ وَهُوَصَائِمٌ
“It is permissible for someone who is fasting to taste vinegar or something, as long as it does not reach the throat.”
It must be on the condition that it is in a small quantity and it must not be swallowed. If it is swallowed with saliva, then the fast is invalid.