What is the ruling on having intercourse during the day in Ramadan or during the day of fasting?
ما حكم الجماع في نهار رمضان أو في نهار الصيام؟
The boundaries of intimacy during the month of Ramadan are clearly defined to protect the sanctity of the fast while accommodating human nature.
حدود العلاقة الزوجية خلال شهر رمضان محددة بوضوح لحماية قدسية الصيام مع مراعاة الفطرة الإنسانية.
Rulings on Intimacy During Ramadan | أحكام العلاقة الزوجية في رمضان
1. Prohibition During the Day
If the fasting of Ramadan is obligatory for the person, then it is forbidden for him to have intercourse during the day in Ramadan. (This is a major violation that breaks the fast. The Prophet ﷺ mandated a heavy expiation [Kaffarah] for this act, which involves freeing a slave, or fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people, as recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari 1936).
1. التحريم في نهار رمضان
إذا كان صيام رمضان و هو واجب على المكلف فيحرم عليه الجماع في نهار رمضان. (وهو انتهاك كبير يفسد الصوم. وقد أوجب النبي ﷺ كفارة مغلظة على من فعل ذلك، وهي عتق رقبة، أو صيام شهرين متتابعين، أو إطعام ستين مسكيناً، كما ورد في صحيح البخاري 1936).
2. Permissibility at Night
If he breaks his fast after sunset, it is permissible for him to have intercourse. (This highlights the balance and mercy in Islamic law, ensuring that natural human needs are met during the lawful hours of the night).
2. الإباحة في الليل
فإن أفطر بعد غروب الشمس جاز له الجماع. (وهذا يبرز التوازن والرحمة في الشريعة الإسلامية، حيث تلبى الاحتياجات الفطرية خلال ساعات الليل المباحة).
3. The Exception for I'tikaf
Except for the one who is in i'tikaf in the masjid; it is not permissible for him to have intercourse even during the night of Ramadan. (I'tikaf is a dedicated spiritual retreat. Leaving this state of devotion for physical intimacy contradicts the purpose of isolating oneself for the worship of Allah).
3. استثناء المعتكف
و يستثنى من ذلك منن كان معتكفا في المسجد فلا يجوز له الجماع في ليل رمضان. (الاعتكاف هو خلوة روحية مخصصة للعبادة. وترك هذه الحالة من التفرغ من أجل العلاقة الجسدية يتنافى مع الغاية من الانقطاع لعبادة الله في المسجد).
4. The Quranic Evidence
(It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights preceding the fast. Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them. Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves. So He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you. So now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allah has prescribed for you) Al-Baqara 2: 187
4. الدليل القرآني
(أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ اللَّـهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّـهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ) البقرة 2: 187
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Does having intercourse during the day of Ramadan break the fast?
Yes, it is strictly forbidden and immediately breaks the fast for someone who is obligated to fast. It also requires a major expiation (Kaffarah) to atone for the violation.
Is intimacy allowed during the nights of Ramadan?
Yes, once the fast is broken after sunset, intimacy between spouses is completely permissible and lawful until the dawn of the next day.
Can a person performing I'tikaf have intimate relations at night?
No. A person in a state of I'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) is not permitted to have intimate relations even during the night, as they are in a state completely dedicated to worship and seclusion.