Question

How can a couple atone for breaking their fast by engaging in sexual intercourse in the heat of the moment? At the time, we were not certain whether intercourse was permitted during fasting. Initially, my wife and I thought it was ḥalāl. However, the following day we learned that it is ḥarām and that kaffārah may be required for what we did.

In this situation, is it sufficient to simply pay fidyah for the broken fast?

Answer

The Prophet [pbuh] did not specify a definite expiation. His decision on a similar case follows:

A man came to the Prophet (sws). He said: “I have been ruined, O Messenger of God!” The Prophet (sws) asked him what had ruined him. The man replied: “I have had sexual intercourse with my wife while fasting.” The Prophet (sws) asked him whether he had something to buy a slave his freedom. The man replied in the negative. The Prophet (sws) then asked him if he could continuously fast for two months. He again replied in the negative. The Prophet (sws) asked him whether he could feed sixty needy people. He again replied in the negative. Then he sat there. Meanwhile, a basket full of dates was presented to the Prophet (sws). The Prophet (sws) asked him to give away the basket of dates in the way of Allah. At this, he said: “Who would need these more than me! There is no house between these two barren plains of Madīnah needier of these dates than mine.” At this the Prophet (sws) smiled such that his teeth could be seen. Then the Prophet (sws) said to him: “Go and feed your family with these.” (Muslim, Hadith, 1111)

The wording of a variant transmitted on the authority of ‘Ᾱ’ishah (rta) follows:

The Prophet (sws) said to him: “Give in charity, give in charity.” The man explained that he had nothing to give away. Then the Prophet (sws) commanded him to stay there. Then two baskets of food were presented to the Prophet (sws) who commanded the man to give those baskets of food in charity. (Muslim, Hadith, 1112)

If a person deliberately has intercourse during a Ramadan fast, then they must make up that fast (qaḍāʾ). They must also perform the prescribed expiation (kaffārah), which is: freeing a slave; if not possible, fasting two consecutive months; and if unable, feeding sixty needy people. If one genuinely cannot fulfill these, then they should sincerely repent and seek God’s forgiveness.

Regarding fidyah as a substitute for a missed fast, this concession does not apply here. The Qur’an clearly stipulates that anyone who is capable of fasting must make up the missed fasts when they are able to do so.

Answered by: Tariq Mahmood Hashmi

Originally Published: 24-02-2015

Edited by: Mushfiq Sultan