Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, a prominent Azharite scholar, states: “Formulating the intention for fasting does not prevent eating or drinking until the end of suhur time or the starting time of fasting. It should also be made clear that the intention for fasting is correct if it is made after sunset. It is also sufficient to have suhur meal or formulate the intention for fasting Ramadan from the first night of Ramadan. Anyway, formulating the intention for fasting does not prevent eating or drinking until the starting time of fasting.”
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto,Ontario, Canada, states: “In addition to eating before suhur time ends, it is absolutely fine to brush one’s teeth in the morning with toothpaste while fasting so long as one takes care not to swallow the paste. It is reported in the traditions that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was seen brushing his teeth quite a number of times during the day while he was fasting. Toothpaste is not intended for consumption. Fast is only broken when it goes directly into our system. To say that one cannot use toothpaste is nothing but rigidity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us against rigidity: “Woe to those who practice rigidity; woe to those who practice rigidity; woe to those who practice rigidity.” (Reported by Muslim)
By avoiding brushing with toothpaste, we end up offending the public by the foul odors of the mouth. Remember it is far more important for us to avoid such objectionable things than being rigid on such frivolous interpretations which have no valid ground in Islam.”