Understanding the Impact of Gul Manjan on Fasting in Ramadan
Gul Manjan and Fasting in Ramadan
Many people use Gul as a toothpaste, and since it contains intoxicants, there is concern among people about whether it invalidates the fast. Several individuals, both familiar and unfamiliar, have contacted me regarding this issue. I have tried to provide a brief answer here. Before understanding the effect of Gul Manjan on fasting and its ruling, it is necessary to investigate what Gul Manjan is.
What is Gul Manjan?
Gul is a type of intoxicating substance prepared from tobacco, and it also contains harmful chemical substances like nicotine. Therefore, it has the same harmful effects as chewing tobacco, gutkha, and cigarettes. According to medical reports, Musi Gul contains 0.14% nicotine, which can cause not only illness but also death. Thus, we can understand and rightly say that if cigarettes are smoked tobacco, then Gul Manjan is smokeless tobacco.
I researched the types and varieties of Gul on the internet and found different companies, such as Chand Tara Gul, Musi Ka Gul, Noor Ka Gul, SS Gul, Teghi Gul, Suleman Gul, Shakoorullah Gul, etc. On the boxes of all these companies, it is written in Hindi that tobacco causes cancer, along with the English translation of this Hindi sentence: “Tobacco causes Cancer.”
We know that no company manufacturing products mentions the drawbacks of its products; rather, they pay for false praise. However, the fact that it is written on the Gul Manjan box that tobacco causes cancer is written out of compulsion and is based on reality. From this sentence, one fact is clear: Gul Manjan is also a type of tobacco. The second thing is that Gul Manjan is intoxicating, and the third thing is that the use of Gul Manjan causes harm to health.
It is surprising that people of all ages, including women, commonly use Gul. What is even more surprising is that most of the manufacturers of Gul Manjan appear to be Muslims, which is why these products often have Islamic names. Among these surprises, one sad aspect is that even some scholars use Gul Manjan. While studying the jurisprudential views of different sects on this issue, I came across another shocking fact related to the Barelvi school of thought’s jurisprudence seminar. It states that if someone cannot defecate without using Gul, then due to this excuse, there will be a concession in the ruling for them. They should first soak the Gul in water on their palm, then carefully rub it on their teeth, and quickly rinse their mouth thoroughly (Fatawa Markaz Tarbiat Ifta, Volume 1, Page 470, Published by Faqih-e-Millat Academy, Ojha Ganj Basti).
From this fatwa, it is evident that those who use Gul are so addicted to it that they cannot relieve themselves without it. Another point is that some groups among Muslims find excuses to make even forbidden things permissible. For example, if someone cannot go to the bathroom or sleep without drinking alcohol, will alcohol become permissible for them? Absolutely not.
The Prohibition of Using Gul Manjan:
Gul is related to intoxicants, and intoxicants refer to all types of intoxicating substances, for which the Arabic word “Khamr” is commonly used. Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) explained Khamr in these words: “Khamr is that which covers the intellect” (Sahih Bukhari: 5581, Sahih Muslim: 3032). This means that Khamr applies to every intoxicating substance. This is supported by another narration in Sahih Muslim: “Every intoxicant is Khamr, and every Khamr is forbidden” (Sahih Muslim: 2003).
It would be incorrect to argue that using a small amount of an intoxicating substance is permissible if it does not cause intoxication. This objection is invalid because Islam’s second principle regarding intoxicants is: “What intoxicates in large quantities, a small amount of it is also forbidden” (Sahih Tirmidhi: 1865).
Translation: “Whatever intoxicates in large quantities, its small amount is also forbidden.”
Based on this principle, all intoxicants fall under the category of forbidden substances, including alcohol, tobacco, beedi, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, Gul, gutkha, marijuana, bhang, hashish, cocaine, hookah, opium, heroin, whiskey, champagne, beer, LSD, hashish, and all narcotics.
On one hand, we know that Gul is an intoxicating substance, and intoxicating substances are life-threatening, as it is written on the Gul Manjan box that it causes cancer. On the other hand, Islam has presented an excellent system of health preservation, and in light of this, all harmful substances are prohibited. Allah says: “Do not throw yourselves into destruction” (Al-Baqarah: 195).
Translation: “Do not throw yourselves into destruction.”
Therefore, the use of Gul Manjan is prohibited in Islam.
Gul Manjan is Not a Medicine for Teeth, But a Disease:
Those who use Gul as a toothpaste and consider it a means of cleaning their teeth should heed this hadith. A companion, Tariq bin Suwaid Al-Ja’fi (RA), asked the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for permission to use alcohol as medicine, and he said: “It is not a medicine but a disease” (Sahih Muslim: 1984).
Translation: “It is not a medicine but a disease.”
This hadith indicates that intoxicating substances are harmful, not beneficial. Therefore, those who consider Gul as a means of cleaning their teeth should understand that they are introducing a disease into their body, which will gradually destroy them. I urge you to use miswak instead of Gul Manjan for cleaning your teeth, as it not only cleans the mouth but also pleases Allah. In Sahih Bukhari, Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Miswak cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
Translation: “Miswak cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
For cleaning teeth, miswak is not the only option; you can use any toothpaste, but you cannot use a forbidden substance for cleaning your teeth.
Effect of Gul Manjan on Fasting:
Since people use Gul as a toothpaste, the question often arises whether using Gul Manjan while fasting breaks the fast. According to the Barelvi school of thought, Gul Manjan invalidates the fast. On the other hand, Darul Uloom Deoband’s fatwa states that using Gul or toothpaste does not break the fast, but it is disliked (makruh). However, if the particles of Gul or toothpaste go down the throat, the fast will undoubtedly be broken (Darul Ifta Deobandi, Answer No: 60211).
When I consider the use of Gul Manjan in relation to fasting and Ramadan, I believe the question should not be whether Gul Manjan breaks the fast or not. Instead, the real question should be about the permissibility of using Gul Manjan during fasting or in Ramadan. My answer to this question is that the use of Gul Manjan is forbidden in general days, and its prohibition increases during fasting or Ramadan. This is because, just as the reward for good deeds multiplied in Ramadan, the sin for bad deeds also increases.
Regarding whether Gul Manjan breaks the fast or not, my opinion is that Gul Manjan consists of particles, and there is a risk of these particles going down the throat. However, if the mouth is thoroughly cleaned, Gul Manjan will not be considered a breaker of the fast, as solutions and fibers are also found in miswak. In fact, the taste is stronger in fresh miswak, yet we can use both dry and fresh miswak while fasting. In summary, using Gul Manjan does not break the fast, provided the mouth is thoroughly cleaned. However, the more important question is whether a Muslim can use Gul Manjan while fasting, knowing that it is both forbidden and life-threatening.
To understand this with an example, watching obscene films does not break the fast, but the question arises whether a Muslim can watch such films while fasting. Absolutely not. Watching such things is forbidden even outside of Ramadan, so it is even more forbidden while fasting. The same applies to the use of Gul Manjan while fasting.
Further Clarifications Regarding Gul Manjan:
After the publication of this article on Gul Manjan, some brothers raised objections and expressed doubts in various places. Therefore, I am clarifying my points in light of these objections.
First Point:
In my article, I have proven that the use of Gul is forbidden both during fasting and non-fasting times, as you have read and understood. I have advised avoiding it altogether. Therefore, the fact that it does not invalidate the fast does not mean it should be used while fasting. It is similar to a scholar saying that watching movies does not break the fast; it still means that watching movies is forbidden, and one should avoid forbidden acts while fasting.
Second Point:
I have stated that Gul Manjan is a disease for the teeth, not a means of cleaning them. Additionally, because it is intoxicating, its use is forbidden. What kind of Muslim would fast and also commit a forbidden act? Knowing this, committing any forbidden act while fasting does not invalidate the fast, except for those explicitly mentioned in Shariah. For example, lying, backbiting, or watching obscene films while fasting are all forbidden acts, but they do not invalidate the fast. However, because they are major sins, one must repent.
Third Point:
A significant question here is whether using Gul Manjan while fasting breaks the fast, and if someone has done this for several fasts, do they need to make up for those fasts?
Obviously, no scholar would say that someone who used Gul Manjan while fasting in the past needs to make up for those fasts. However, since this act falls under the category of forbidden acts, one must repent for the future.
Fourth Point:
Gul is undoubtedly a type of tobacco and an intoxicant. There are two important aspects to consider: first, the particles entering the mouth, and second, its intoxicating nature. If the mouth is thoroughly cleaned, it cannot be considered a breaker of the fast, even if it is intoxicating. Simply being an intoxicant does not invalidate the fast; otherwise, other issues related to fasting would also arise, such as fasting while unconscious or using anesthesia for treatment.
There is no evidence in Shariah that if some intoxication occurs in the body, the fast is invalidated. Moreover, those who use Gul do not feel intoxicated at that moment, so this reason does not apply. However, the prohibition of its use remains due to the rule of both small and large amounts of intoxicants.
Fifth Point:
According to the definition of fasting, Gul is neither food nor drink, nor is it related to sexual intercourse or desire. Therefore, how can it be considered a breaker of the fast?
If someone claims that using Gul Manjan invalidates the fast, they must provide clear evidence and also prove that all previous fasts in which Gul Manjan was used need to be made up. Everyone knows that the principles of invalidators and nullifiers are important in religion, so clear texts and explicit evidence are needed to declare ablution, ghusl, prayer, or fasting invalid. However, smoking and chewing tobacco invalidate the fast, and if someone uses Gul Manjan like chewing tobacco under the lip, it will undoubtedly invalidate the fast because they have used Gul in a manner similar to eating and enjoying it. Thus, the ruling depends on the specific manner of use; if the same thing is used in a different manner, the ruling changes.
One brother told me that since I mentioned Gul as a type of tobacco, it should have the same ruling as tobacco, meaning it would also invalidate the fast. To this, I respond with a simple analogy: tomatoes are also a type of fruit, but would you serve tomatoes to a guest as a form of hospitality?
In Any Case:
A Muslim should never use intoxicating substances, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan. Those who have used Gul Manjan during Ramadan or at other times should sincerely repent to Allah and use miswak or other permissible items for cleaning their teeth.
Note:
Since this article is quite sensitive in nature and I had not come across any fatwa from the Ahl-e-Hadith community regarding whether using Gul Manjan breaks the fast, I presented this article to several scholars, and they provided their feedback. May Allah reward them.
1. Dr. Wasiullah Muhammad Abbas (Teacher at Haram Makkah and Professor at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah):
Sheikh Maqbool Salafi has presented research stating that using Gul Manjan is not permissible because it is an intoxicant, whether used in small or large quantities. The summary is that using Gul Manjan for cleaning teeth and mouth is not permissible. Instead, Allah has created many permissible things, such as miswak. Sheikh Maqbool has stated that if a person does not intentionally swallow any part of Gul Manjan while using it, it does not invalidate the fast because there is no evidence from the Quran and Sunnah that it invalidates the fast. This is the truth and the closest to the correct opinion. However, if someone uses it like gutkha, chewing tobacco, or cigarettes and swallows its particles, it will invalidate the fast without any doubt. (Sheikh’s audio is available on YouTube).
2. Sheikh Jalaluddin Qasmi (Maligaon):
Gul Manjan does not break the fast if no part of it goes into the stomach, although it is forbidden due to its intoxicating nature. Sheikh Wasiullah Abbas has also supported Maqbool Ahmed Salafi’s stance that this opinion is closer to the truth. I currently agree with this stance until evidence to the contrary is presented. Maqbool Salafi’s research is commendable. May Allah increase his knowledge.
3. Sheikh Abdul Hasib Umri Madani (Bangalore):
I read the article, and its contents are satisfactory. However, I am not familiar with “Surti,” so apart from that part, I agree with the rest. May Allah bless you.
4. Dr. Muhammad Aslam Mubarakpuri (Jamia Salafia, Banaras):
It is well known that Islamic Shariah has declared all intoxicants forbidden, with numerous proofs from the Quran and Sunnah. Gul Manjan is also an intoxicant, so it is forbidden. Every Muslim should avoid it. However, there is a difference of opinion on whether Gul Manjan invalidates the fast. I have not found any evidence in the Quran and Sunnah that it invalidates the fast. If someone argues that it invalidates the fast because it is an intoxicant, this is a weak analogy. If it reaches the stomach or is swallowed, it invalidates the fast, just like other substances. Maqbool Ahmed Salafi’s research seems closest to the truth. Allah knows best.
5. Dr. Abdul Bari Fathullah Madani (Riyadh):
In response to a brother’s query, Sheikh provided an audio answer to my article. He stated that everything else in the article is correct, and Gul Manjan does not break the fast. However, it is a major sin because it is an intoxicant.
Maqbool Ahmed Salafi
Islamic Dawah Center, Northern Taif (Masrah)