Assalamu Alaikum. 1- What is the area of the oral cavity, and is the back of the tongue close to the pharynx? 2- I was fasting and experienced belching, which reached the back of my tongue near the pharynx. I swallowed it thinking that this area is not part of the oral cavity. Is my fast valid?
🤖
AI Notice: This translation was generated by AI and is currently awaiting human verification.
1 Answer
Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
- The oral cavity is the space located in front of the pharynx, bordered by the cheeks and the upper and lower lips, and surrounded by teeth on three sides.
- Swallowing substances from the head or chest that do not reach the oral cavity does not invalidate the fast. However, if they reach the oral cavity, it is recommended to avoid swallowing them.
- If something comes into the oral cavity during belching, it must be expelled. However, if it is swallowed involuntarily, the fast remains valid.
Source: Risalah of Prayer and Fasting, Obligations of Fasting, Avoiding Invalidators of Fasting, Eating and Drinking, 822 + Vomiting
Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah protect him):
- The oral cavity is the space located in front of the pharynx, bordered by the cheeks and the upper and lower lips, and surrounded by teeth on three sides.
- It is recommended to avoid swallowing anything that comes from the chest or descends from the head into the oral cavity. If it does not reach the oral cavity, there is no issue.
- If something comes out during belching and is swallowed involuntarily, it does not invalidate the fast. However, if it reaches the oral cavity and is swallowed voluntarily, the fast is invalidated, and it is obligatory to perform expiation in both cases.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Invalidators, Articles 983 + 1009