What is the ruling on finding food between the teeth in the morning while fasting?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
If a person finds food between their teeth upon waking and it is a small amount that cannot be expelled, and they swallow it, their fast remains valid. This ruling is based on the inability to avoid it, thus assimilating it to saliva. Ibn al-Mundhir reported scholarly consensus on this matter. If the food found is a significant amount that can be expelled, and the person intentionally swallows it while remembering their fast, their fast is broken according to the majority of scholars.
Supporting text
The opposing view, held by Abu Hanifa, maintains that the fast is not broken even if the significant amount of food is swallowed intentionally, arguing that some remnant of what is eaten inevitably remains between the teeth, making avoidance impossible, thus equating it to the saliva.