Chapter on Ruling of Treatment for the Fasting Person, Kohl, Cupping, the Tooth-Stick (Siwak), Entering the Bathhouse, and Other than That

These two reports, and whatever runs in their course, are intended to refer to the eye-powder (kuhl) in which there is musk or something that has a sharp scent, so it enters the throat, for that is disliked. As for that which is not like that, then there is no harm in it. And what indicates what we have mentioned is what was narrated (in the following hadith):

And we only said that eye-powder (kuhl), when there is musk in it, is disliked (makruh), without that being prohibited (mahzur), because of what was narrated by (in the following hadith):

It does not contradict what we have mentioned, because Imam عليه السلام only disliked cupping (hijamah) in (month of) Ramadan and connected it to the state of necessity when a person fears weakness. As for one who does not fear weakness, then there is no harm in it in every case. And what indicates what we mentioned is what was narrated (in the following hadith):

The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him, said: “There is no harm in using the moist tooth-stick (siwak) and the dry one at any time he wishes, by night or by day.”

And reports have been narrated concerning the dislike of using the tooth-stick (siwak) with a moist stick.

The dislike in these reports is only directed toward one who does not control himself, so he spits out what gathers in his mouth from the moisture of the stick. As for one who is able to preserve himself, then there is no harm in using it in every case.

If someone says: ‘There must be water for rinsing the mouth because of the Sunnah, then there must also be the tooth-stick (siwak) because of the Sunnah which Jibril عليه السلام, peace be upon him, brought to Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family.’ As for what Shaykh, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on him, mentioned regarding the ruling of nasal medicine (saut) and the enema (huqnah), its mention has already passed previously, so there is no reason to repeat it. And a woman must not sit in water.

The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on him, said: “Deliberately inducing vomiting breaks the fast of the fasting person, but if vomiting overcomes him, then nothing is upon him.”

Thus, the proper meaning of this report is that it is when he swallowed it after it had reached his mouth forgetfully. But if he deliberately did that, then he has broken the fast, and what is binding upon one who deliberately breaks the fast becomes binding upon him.

And reports have also been narrated concerning the dislike of smelling aromatic herbs (rayhan). He narrated (in the following hadith):

These reports, and whatever runs in their course, have come in the context of dislike, not prohibition. Therefore, it is more appropriate for the fasting person to leave taking pleasure in all other types of pleasures, even though, whenever he does it, it does not invalidate his fast. Imam عليه السلام clarified that by his statement in the last report: “because it is a pleasure, and it is disliked for him to take pleasure.” It is also possible that what is meant by mentioning aromatic herbs (rayhan) in these reports is narcissus (narjis), and not anything else. Do you not see the report that we presented earlier concerning the dislike of narcissus (narjis), which Muhammad ibn al-Fayd narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, that Imam عليه السلام mentioned the dislike of that, then said: “because it is the aromatic herb (rayhan) of the non-Arabs (al-aajam).” Thus, Imam عليه السلام applied the name aromatic herb (Rayhan) to it. It is not impossible that what is meant by these reports is also that very thing, and not anything else.