Drops and Ointments for the Fasting Person

Excerpts from the ‘Jurisprudence of Worship’
By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn Uthaymeen رحمه الله تعالى

Question: Oh Noble Shaykh, What is the ruling of (using) drops and ointments for the eyes (while one is fasting)?

Answer:
There is no harm for the fasting person to use eye liner or to use drops for eyes. Similarly, to use drops for his ears. Even if he happened to taste the drops in the back of his throat. For verily he does not break his fast in doing so because it is not food or drink and it is not in the meaning of food or drink (as they carry no nutritional benefits). Also, the evidences have only come to prohibit food and drink so these drops (for eyes and ears) are not prohibited, as they have no relation to them (food and drink) in meaning (as they carry no nutritional benefits). Furthermore, this ruling that we have discussed is the preferred choice of Shaykh Islām ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله تعالى and it is the correct one.

Jurisprudence of Worship- Fatwa Regarding Sáum (Fasting). By Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih ibn Uthaymeen (pg. 272)

Translated by: Abu Uwāis, Muhammad Abdullahi Elmi