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Smear test while fasting

QUESTION

Does having a smear test invalidate the fast as some amount of lubricant is inserted into the vagina

ANSWER

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

Answer

According to medical professionals a smear test usually involves a lubricant being used to insert an implement called a speculum into the vagina to enable a sample of cells to be taken from the surface of the cervix via a small type of brush. Additionally, under normal circumstances, the said implement does not enter the womb itself, rather it stops at the opening of the womb.

In terms of the fast being broken or not there are two main scenarios:

1. If the lubricant or the speculum does not enter the womb, which is the normal situation, then according to the agreed upon view of the jurists the fast is not broken.

2. On the other hand if the lubricant or lubricated implement enters the womb then in one view the fast is broken. The same ruling applies in case the non-lubricated implement also completely enters the womb. Here the traditional understanding of the physiology of the human body is taken into account whereby the womb was regarded to have some form of connection to the digestion tract or the stomach. However in another view based on modern medical science, the womb is not in any way connected to the digestive tract or stomach. Accordingly the speculum or lubricant upon entering the womb will not cause the fast to break.

In conclusion, according to the view based on modern medical science the fast is not invalidated in both scenarios, although it is more precautious to delay the smear test to after the fasting period where possible. And Allah knows best.

References

و في المقالات الفقهية لشيخ محمد رفيع العثماني 206

...كل جوف ليس بينه و بين الحلق او المعدة او الامعاء مسلك فليس بجوف معتبر لا اصالة و لا تبعا- لكن الطب الجديد ينكر اي منفذ او مسلك بين هذا الاربعة (جوف الدماغ, جوف الفرج الداخل للمراة و مثانتها, و مثانة الرجل) و بين الحلق او المعدة او الامعاء كما مر عن الاطباء المعاصرين.... لا يفسد الصوم بما و صل اليها(اي الاجواف الاربعة) لعدم المسلك بينها و بين الجوف المعتبر في نفسه.

2/347 فتح القدير

إذَا كَانَ طَرَفُ الْخَشَبَةِ بِيَدِهِ وَطَرْفُ الْحَشْوَةِ فِي الْفَرْجِ الْخَارِجِ وَالْمَاءُ لَمْ يَصِلْ إلَى كَثِيرِ دَاخِلٍ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَفْسُدُ

3/350 الميحط البرهاني

إذا رمت المرأة القطنة في قبلها إن انتهت إلى الفرج الداخل، وهو رحمها انتقض صومها؛ لأنه تم الدخول.

Answered by FCB Fatwa Department