Inhaling Smoke While Fasting

Question

What is the ruling on thick smoke while fasting, such as when using incense? Thank you.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

- It is strongly recommended that a fasting person avoid swallowing thick dust, such as that which arises from sweeping dirt floors, as well as cigarette smoke and other types of smoke.

- The entry of dust and smoke into the mouth and nose without reaching the throat does not invalidate the fast.

Therefore, merely lighting incense in a room or elsewhere and inhaling its scent does not invalidate the fast.

Source: Message on Prayer and Fasting, Fasting, Obligations of Fasting, Avoiding Invalidators of Fasting, Inhaling Thick Dust into the Throat

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Deliberately allowing thick dust or smoke to enter the throat is strongly recommended to be avoided, but there is no issue with thinner dust or smoke, as well as that which is difficult to avoid by nature, such as dust raised by air movement.

Thus, merely lighting incense in a room or elsewhere and inhaling its scent does not invalidate the fast.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Invalidators, Ninth

May you be successful in all good.