Question:
Assalamu ‘alaykum,
I have been Muslim a few months now and this is my first Ramadan. I’ve been advised to stick a madhab for simplicity so if you could kindly answer based on the Hanafi madhab.
When making fardh ghusl, how far must I sniff water up my nose? I see terms such as hard bone, soft bone but nobody clarifies what they actually mean. If you could please explain it simply i.e., how many centimetres up my nostrils must it travel
Sometimes (even when sniffing gently), some of the water travels up my sinuses and then enters my mouth. I of course spit the water out, but does this movement break my fast?
Sometimes when the above happens, I feel some water touch the back of my throat, again I don’t swallow it. Does this break my fast?
Jazakallah,
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.
We commend you for taking such care to learn the details of your din and practice it correctly. May Allah bless you and keep you steadfast.
There is no fixed measurement in centimetres to determine the inner soft portion of the nostrils. However, it refers to the area where mucus and dirt usually collect. See the diagram below:
It is sufficient to put the water into the nostrils with a slight jolt of the palm. The water will most certainly reach the soft part of the nose. There is no need to inconvenience yourself by pulling the water up.
In conclusion, it is sufficient to rinse the nose lightly without sniffing or drawing the water deeply upward toward the nose bone so as to avoid the risk of water reaching the throat.
If water reaches the throat while gargling or rinsing the nose, the fast will become invalid, and Qada (make-up fast) will be obligatory, but Kaffara (expiation) will not be required.
If you require any further information, you may email us.[1]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek
Student Darul Iftaa
Port-louis, Mauritius
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.
