The word for breaking the fast is ifṭār, from faṭr meaning to cleave or split a thing lengthwise (R.), and the things which break a fast are called mufṭirāt, pl. of mufṭir. The three things one should abstain from in fasting being eating, drinking and having sexual intercourse, these three, if resorted to of free will17 and intentionally, between day-break and sunset, would break the fast, but if done through forgetfulness or inadvertently, the fast remains and must be completed (Bu. 30:26). Rinsing the mouth with water or with a toothbrush, gargling or sniffing the water into the nostrils, even if a little water passes into the throat unintentionally does not break the fast (Bu. 30:25, 26, 27, 28). Nor does taking a bath or keeping a wet cloth on the head or pouring water on the head break the fast, even though done intentionally to relieve the severity of thirst (Bu. 30:25 ; MM. 7:4-ii). Coughing and vomiting also do not break the fast, for as Ibn ‘Abbās and ‘Ikrama say, a fast is broken by that which goes into the body, not by that which comes out.18 (Bu. 30:32). It is related that the Holy Prophet would kiss his wife when fasting (Bu. 30:23). There is a difference of opinion regarding the punishment for breaking a fast intentionally before its time, as shown under the heading “Expiatory fasts.” The Holy Qur’ān is silent on this point, while Ḥadīth only shows that it is sufficient that the violator should be sincerely repentant. If fast is broken on a cloudy day, under the impression that the sun has set, and the sun then appears, then the fast should be completed (Bu. 30:46). If a man is fasting and then undertakes a journey, the fast may be broken (Bu. 30:34). The same rule may be followed in the case of sickness. In the case of voluntary fast, a man is at liberty to break the fast on account of a guest or the persistence of a friend (Bu. 30:51)
What has been said hitherto relates only to the external side of the fast but, as stated in the beginning, the essence of the fast is its moral and spiritual value, and the Holy Qur’ān and Ḥadīth have laid special stress on this. “Whoever does not give up,” says one ḥadīth “lying and acting falsely, Allāh does not stand in need of his giving up food
17 Therefore anything done under compulsion or involuntarily does not break the fast.
18 There is a difference of opinion on some of these minor points, but what has been said here is based on weightier authority.