Law of Tasting Food During Fasting According to Ulama

YOGYAKARTA - During Ramadan, most people feel hesitant when they have to taste the dishes that will be served for breaking the fast. So, what is the law of tasting food while fasting? Scholars have different views on this, and of course it is important to know so that fasting is still valid.

The majority of scholars have the opinion that tasting food while fasting is allowed, provided it is only tasted at the tip of the tongue and not swallowed. This is revealed in the book Complete and Practical Book of Women's Fiqh by Abdul Syukur Al-Azizi. However, it is still recommended to be careful so that food does not enter the esophagus, because it risks canceling the fast.

In a hadith, Ibn Abbas RA explained, "It is permissible for a person who is fasting to taste vinegar or something as long as it does not enter the esophagus." This hadith was narrated by Ibn Abi Syaibah and considered hasan by Sheikh Albani.

Meanwhile, Ibnu Taimiyah argues that tasting food during fasting has the law of makruh if there is no urgent need. However, if there is a need, for example, to ensure the taste of the food for the breaking of the fast, then it is allowed, just like gargling during fasting.

In the book Encyclopedia of Women's Fiqh, Agus Arifin and Sundus Wahidah also explain that the law of tasting food during fasting is makruh, but does not invalidate fasting, as long as the food is not swallowed.

In the book Tuhfatul Muhtaj Syarah Minhaj by Ibnu Hajar Al Haitami, which is also quoted from the previous source, tasting food has the law of makruh because it is feared that food will be swallowed into the esophagus.

However, there are exceptions in certain conditions. If there are other interests, for example tasting food that will be given to the baby, then the law is not makruh.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Hijazi Asy-Syarqawi in the book Hasyiyah Asy Syarqawi 'ala Tuhfat Ath Thullab said, "And it is makruh to taste food if there is no interest for him, whether he is a male or female cook. As for the person who has a small child who chews food for him, it is not makruh for them to taste food, as is the opinion of Imam Az-Ziyâdî."

Quoted from the book Berguru Kepada Jibril Seri 1 by H. Brilly El-Rasheed, according to Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin 'Abdurrahman Al-Jibrin in Fatawa Ash-Shiyam, states that tasting food is allowed if it is needed. The way is by sticking the food to the tip of the tongue to find out the taste, without swallowing it. The food residue is then swallowed or expelled from the mouth. This action does not make fasting invalid.

This is a review of the law on tasting food during fasting according to scholars. Hopefully useful. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.