Evidence of Expiation for Breaking the Fast in Ramadan
The expiation for invalidating the fast during Ramadan due to sexual intercourse is addressed in multiple narrations from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which are similar in wording and meaning. These narrations include the following:
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “While we were sitting with the Prophet (peace be upon him), a man came to him and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am ruined.’ The Prophet asked, ‘What happened?’ The man replied: ‘I had relations with my wife while I was fasting.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Can you find a slave to set free?’ The man responded: ‘No.’ The Prophet then asked: ‘Can you fast for two consecutive months?’ He said: ‘No.’ The Prophet then said: ‘Can you feed sixty needy people?’ The man replied: ‘No.’
Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained silent for a while, and while we were in that state, a tray filled with dates was brought to him. The Prophet asked: ‘Where is the one who asked?’ The man said: ‘It is me.’ The Prophet commanded him: ‘Take it and give it as charity.’ The man replied: ‘Should I give it to someone even poorer than me, O Messenger of Allah? By Allah, between the two lava fields (referring to the two outskirts), there is no household poorer than mine.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) laughed until his teeth became visible and said: ‘Feed your family with it.’
- Another narration from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) states: “A man had relations with his wife during Ramadan, so he sought a ruling from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The Prophet asked: ‘Do you have a slave to free?’ He replied: ‘No.’ The Prophet then inquired: ‘Can you fast for two consecutive months?’ The man said: ‘No.’ The Prophet said: ‘Then feed sixty needy people.’
- Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: ‘I have been burned.’ The Prophet asked: ‘How?’ The man said: ‘I had relations with my wife during the day in Ramadan.’ The Prophet replied: ‘Give charity, give charity.’ The man said: ‘I have nothing,’ so he was instructed to sit, and then two containers of food were brought to him. The Prophet commanded him to give it as charity.
Expiation for Breaking the Fast in Ramadan
The scholars unanimously agree that the expiation for intentionally invalidating the fast of Ramadan through sexual intercourse, with knowledge of its ruling, requires an expiation as prescribed: first freeing a slave, and if that is not possible, fasting for two consecutive months. If he is unable to do so, then he must feed sixty needy people, based on the authentic hadiths from the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Expiation is required from the man and not the woman, as the act is initiated by the man and the woman is also a participant. Since the act of intercourse cannot occur without both parties, only one expiation is required for the act.
Fasting and Its Rulings
Fasting is the abstention from anything that breaks the fast from dawn until sunset. Observing the fast during Ramadan is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is sane, capable of fasting, and free from any barriers such as menstruation or postpartum bleeding. Allah (SWT) says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
Invalidators of Fasting
The invalidators of fasting are as follows:
- Deliberate eating and drinking.
- Deliberate sexual intercourse during the day in Ramadan.
This is supported by the words of Allah (SWT): “It has been made lawful for you to approach your wives during the nights of fasting. 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 becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night].”
“Then complete the fast until the sunset, and do not approach them while you are in retreat in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them. Thus Allah makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may become righteous.”