Rinsing one's mouth while observing Sawm

Q: One night in Ramadan, I woke up to have my Suhur (pre-dawn meal before the Fast) and after finishing it, I had a flavored drink. As the dawn had not yet come, I said I would wait for a while then go to the Masjid (mosque) to offer Salah (Prayer), intending to clean my mouth in the Masjid preparing for Sawm (Fast) before the Adhan (call to Prayer) was pronounced. However, while still waiting, I overslept and only woke up after the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer was due. When I woke up, I found the taste of the flavored drink was still in my throat, so I spat it out and then washed my mouth; is my Sawm on this day valid? If not, what should I do?

A: Having the remains of food in between the teeth after the break of dawn falls under either one of two cases:1- If there is only a small amount of food remaining in the mouth that cannot be spat, it does not affect the validity of the Sawm, even if it reached the person's throat, for this is unavoidable.2- If there is a lot of food remaining in the mouth, and the person spat it out, the Sawm is valid. But, if the person swallowed it intentionally, the Sawm is invalid according to the majority of scholars. (Part No. 9; Page No. 196) Accordingly, you did well by spitting the remains of food from your mouth and hence, your Sawm is valid In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills). A Muslim should be cautious with regard to religious matters.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.