The Case of a Fasting Person’s Use of Kohl (Eye Drops or powder)

“About a fasting person’s use of kohl (special powder for eye treatment) abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that it is not harmful, because it is not a drink or food.’” Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Sulayman al-Farra’ from more than one person who have narrated a similar Hadith from abu Ja’far (a.s.).

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an eye-ache in the month of Ramadan; if he can sprinkle his eyes during the day in the month of Ramadan when he is fasting. He (the Imam) said, ’He can do so when he is not fasting but he cannot do so when he is fasting.’”

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who applies kohl when he is fasting. He (the Imam) said, ’If it is a kind of kohl in which there is no musk and has no taste in the throat, then it is not harmful.’”