In this article we will study about an important topic Can You Have Intercourse during Ramadan? The Shariah rulings on sexual intercourse during Ramadan۔The evident guidance of the Holy Quran
Allah Almighty has clearly stated in Surah Al-Baqarah the rulings on fasting during Ramadan:
Your wives are as a garment to you, and ye are as a garment to them. (Al-Baqarah: 187)
He explained further in the same verse:
So enter them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of the dawn becomes distinct from the black thread of the night.
This verse explicitly permits sexual intercourse during the hours of the night, meaning from sunset until dawn.
In the light of Prophetic traditions, Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) says in Sahih Bukhari:
“A man came to the Messenger of Allah, and said: O Messenger of Allah! I have been destroyed. He said: What has happened to you? He said: I had intercourse with my wife in the daytime in Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter Ifda Jame’ fi Ramadan)
Details of expiation:
The Prophet (ﷺ) informed him that the expiation is to free a slave, or to fast for two consecutive months, or to feed sixty poor people. (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sayyam)
Leave until the time of Suhoor:
Hazrat Aisha (RA) reported that the Apostle of Allah sometimes had intercourse and then got up for Suhoor. (Sahih Bukhari)
The unanimous position of the four schools of thought
To understand, Can You Have Intercourse during Ramadan? Everybody must read following lines. All four Sunni schools of thought-Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali-are unanimous in that:
Intercourse during the day while fasting is forbidden, and the fast is invalidated and expiation is obligatory.
Hanafi School:
As for Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah be pleased with him; he views sexual intercourse for one who is fasting as prohibited during the daytime.
Qadha and expiation both become obligatory on him if he does so.
References: “Al-Hidayah” by Imam Al-Marghinani, Volume 1, Page 125
Shafi’i School:
Al-Shafi’i says, “Having sexual intercourse while fasting breaks the fast.”
So, this requires him to free a neck or to fast for two months continuously, or to feed sixty needy persons.
References: “Al-Majmoo’ Sharh Al-Muhadhib” by An-Nawawi, Volume 6, Page 315.
Maliki School:
According to Imam Malik, may Allah be pleased with him; sexual intercourse during the day also invalidates the fast.
The condition for it to be obligatory is for a person to be of sound mind and to know the prohibition on sexual intercourse.
References: “Muwatta Imam Malik”, Kitab Al-Sayam
Hanbali School:
As narrated by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah be pleased with him; it is also permissible to have sexual intercourse during the daytime. The fast however is broken.
They have a fixed expiation that goes as follows: freeing a slave, in case this is not possible, then fasting for two months, then feeding sixty poor people.
References: “Al-Mughni” by Ibn Qudamah, Volume 3, Page 105
Permitted times
Intercourse is permitted during Ramadan only during the night:
From after the Maghrib call to prayer
Until Fajr Sadiq – (the last time for Suhoor)
Prohibited times
Sexual intercourse is forbidden during the daytime:
After Fajr Sadiq (the dawn of dawn)
Until the Maghrib call to prayer
Important Sharia points
Importance of intention: If a person sleeps at night with the intention of intercourse and it is morning, his fast is valid.
The case of sexual intercourse: Having sexual intercourse while fasting doesn’t break the fast. Kissing and making love: If he kisses his wife, having sexual contact with her, without ejaculation, then his fast is valid but he has to control his desire.
People with disabilities: The elderly, the sick, and travelers who are not fasting may have sexual intercourse during the day.
Summary and conclusion:
Sexual intercourse during the night of Ramadan, from sunset until the appearance of the dawn, is totally permitted by Islamic jurisprudence, while it is absolutely forbidden during the day, from the beginning of the dawn until the setting of the sun, and invalidates the fast absolutely and necessitates expiation.
This is by agreement of the Quran, Hadith, and all the schools of jurisprudence. In this essay we have learnt Can You Have Intercourse during Ramadan? May Allah Almighty enable us to derive benefit from the blessings of Ramadan and to follow its rulings?
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