Does chewing gum break the fast?

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. According to the Hanafi school of thought, there are differing opinions among scholars regarding whether chewing gum breaks the fast. Let us explain this matter in light of the Quran and Sunnah, based on the classical sources of the Hanafi school. According to the fundamental principles of the Hanafi school, acts that break the fast are those where something enters the body through the mouth and reaches the stomach. Whether chewing gum breaks the fast is evaluated based on the composition of the gum and the circumstances that occur during chewing. **Evaluation According to Classical Hanafi Fiqh Sources:** * **Al-Mabsut (Al-Sarakhsi):** In Al-Mabsut, it is stated that if a portion of the gum melts in the mouth and is swallowed while chewing, this act breaks the fast. However, there is also the view that if the gum is only chewed and not swallowed at all, the fast is not broken. * **Al-Hidayah (Al-Marghinani):** A similar approach is adopted in Al-Hidayah. If a portion of the melted part of the gum is intentionally swallowed while chewing, it breaks the fast. If the gum itself or its melted part is not swallowed, and only the act of chewing continues in the mouth, the fast is not broken. However, even in this case, some scholars have stated that the possibility of the gum's taste or smell reaching the stomach might render the fast disliked (makruh). * **Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin):** This issue is also discussed in detail in the marginalia of Ibn Abidin. The part of the gum that melts and is swallowed during chewing breaks the fast. It is particularly considered that some modern gums, due to their composition, can melt easily, and the possibility of swallowing is higher. If the gum itself remains solid and is not swallowed at all, theoretically, it does not break the fast. However, it is still stated that chewing gum might render the fast disliked (makruh) and should be avoided. **General Hanafi Ruling:** The generally accepted view in the Hanafi school is as follows: * If a portion of the melted part of the gum is **intentionally swallowed** while chewing, the fast is broken. * If the gum itself or its melted part is **not swallowed at all**, and only the act of chewing continues, according to the apparent ruling of the Hanafi school, the fast is not broken. However, it is also stated that this situation might render the fast disliked (makruh) and it is advised to avoid it. **Brief Mention of Fiqh Differences:** There are also different opinions on this matter in other schools of thought. For example, some Shafi'i scholars state that the fast is broken if the melted part of the gum is swallowed, while others have stated that gums that do not melt due to their composition do not break the fast. In the Maliki school, there is a wider range of opinions regarding whether gum breaks the fast. **Conclusion:** For a Muslim belonging to the Hanafi school, abstaining from chewing gum while fasting is the most cautious approach. This is because there is always a possibility of swallowing a portion of the melted gum, which can break the fast. If it is certain that the gum will not be swallowed at all, although the fast may not be broken according to the apparent ruling of the Hanafi school, it should not be forgotten that it might render the fast disliked (makruh). May Allah accept your fasts. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.