Editor’s note: This article examines the seemingly unclear
perception and stance of Islam on the issue of sexual activities during
the month of Ramadan. it lists the forbidden period and the acceptable
period and what is advisable in the eventuality of sex during fasting.
Coming to sexual relations in the month of Ramadan. Is a fasting Muslim allowed or not allowed to have sexual relations with his wife at all? Is he allowed to kiss or hug or even have sex with his wife while fasting?
The simple definition of fasting provides a straight answer to the above question. Since fasting is abstaining from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse or any other thing that vitiate fasting between Fajr and Maghrib. It therefore means that the only time sexual relation is allowed with someone’s wife is between the time after Iftaar and immediately before Fajr. Abstaining from sex while fasting does not mean not having sexual relation for the whole 24 hours of each day in Ramadan. It only means that at certain time in Ramadan, sexual intercourse is not allowed.
This is explicitly explained by Allah in the Glorious Qur’an, chapter 2 verse 187 that: “It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives for sexual relations. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn is distinct to you from the black thread of the night. Then complete the fast until sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the Mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them.Thus does not Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.”
A person that looks at a woman while fasting and got sexually aroused, thereafter ejaculated, is permitted to continue with his fast. His fast is still valid. However, things like this are highly discouraged not only in Ramadan, but at all times. Therefore, a fasting Muslim should avoid looking at a woman or things like movies or pictures or music that would make him become sexually aroused.
A Muslim is not allowed to kiss his wife while fasting. Kissing is only allowed if the person does not feel potency towards women due to age or any other reason. A person that had sexual intercourse with his wife while fasting has some certain things he should do in order for Allah to forgive him. The first is that he will fast for two consecutive months after Ramadan without a break in-between the days in the two months. The other thing is to feed 60 poor people.
This
article expresses the opinion of Oladele Hakeem. The views and opinions
expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com.
Having
sexual relation with someone that a person has legal matrimonial ties
is the focus in this article. Islam forbids and condemns illicit sexual
intercourse. A Muslim can only have sexual relation with his legally
married wife or wives as the case might be. The shari’a ruling on
illicit sexual intercourse for an unmarried person is flogging the
person hundred strokes, after that, he leaves the society he committed
the illegal act for one year. However, the punishment for a married
person involved in illicit sex is stoning the offender to death. Sex is
only allowed between a man and a woman in Islam as long as both are
islamically married.Coming to sexual relations in the month of Ramadan. Is a fasting Muslim allowed or not allowed to have sexual relations with his wife at all? Is he allowed to kiss or hug or even have sex with his wife while fasting?
The simple definition of fasting provides a straight answer to the above question. Since fasting is abstaining from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse or any other thing that vitiate fasting between Fajr and Maghrib. It therefore means that the only time sexual relation is allowed with someone’s wife is between the time after Iftaar and immediately before Fajr. Abstaining from sex while fasting does not mean not having sexual relation for the whole 24 hours of each day in Ramadan. It only means that at certain time in Ramadan, sexual intercourse is not allowed.
This is explicitly explained by Allah in the Glorious Qur’an, chapter 2 verse 187 that: “It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives for sexual relations. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn is distinct to you from the black thread of the night. Then complete the fast until sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the Mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them.Thus does not Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.”
A person that looks at a woman while fasting and got sexually aroused, thereafter ejaculated, is permitted to continue with his fast. His fast is still valid. However, things like this are highly discouraged not only in Ramadan, but at all times. Therefore, a fasting Muslim should avoid looking at a woman or things like movies or pictures or music that would make him become sexually aroused.
A Muslim is not allowed to kiss his wife while fasting. Kissing is only allowed if the person does not feel potency towards women due to age or any other reason. A person that had sexual intercourse with his wife while fasting has some certain things he should do in order for Allah to forgive him. The first is that he will fast for two consecutive months after Ramadan without a break in-between the days in the two months. The other thing is to feed 60 poor people.
The
evidence for this expiation for sex with someone’s wife while fasting
is in a Sahih Bukhari hadith that was narrated by Abu Huraira (Allah be
pleased with him), when he said a man came to meet Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon his soul), while he was sitting with his companions; that
the man told Allah’s Messanger that he had sexual intercourse with his
wife in the afternoon of Ramadan. Allah’s Messenger told him to fast for
two consecutive months or to feed 60 poor people if he can not do the
60 days fast.
Muslims should know that Allah loves them. This love does not involve going beyond the bounds of Allah. As they have abstained from fasting with their mouth, so also, should they fast with all parts of their body and stay away from things could lead them to sexual intercourse while fasting.
Muslims should know that Allah loves them. This love does not involve going beyond the bounds of Allah. As they have abstained from fasting with their mouth, so also, should they fast with all parts of their body and stay away from things could lead them to sexual intercourse while fasting.