What if a married couple has intercourse while fasting?

Detailed answer

Having intercourse on purpose during the fasting hours of a Ramadan day breaks the fast and is a serious sin. It also requires a special expiation (kaffarah). The good news is that the door of repentance is open, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) dealt with this situation gently.

What the Sunnah says

Abu Hurayrah reported that a man came to the Prophet and said: "I am ruined! I had relations with my wife while fasting in Ramadan." The Prophet asked whether he could free a slave, then whether he could fast two consecutive months, then whether he could feed sixty poor people. The man could not do any of these. The Prophet then gave him a basket of dates to give in charity, and when the man said no family was poorer than his, the Prophet laughed and told him to feed his family (Bukhari, Muslim).

What has to be done

1. Sincere repentance: regret, ask Allah's forgiveness and resolve not to repeat it.
2. Stop for the rest of the day: do not eat or drink until sunset, out of respect for Ramadan.
3. Make up the day after Ramadan.
4. Kaffarah: fast 60 consecutive days. If you are genuinely unable, for example because of illness, feed 60 poor people. Freeing a slave, the first option in the hadith, no longer applies today. See what is kaffarah?

What about the wife?

If the wife took part willingly, most scholars say she also has to make up the day and do her own kaffarah. If she was forced, she carries no sin and owes no kaffarah, though many scholars say she should still make up the day. If you are unsure about your case, ask a trusted local scholar.

What if…

• It happened on more than one day: most scholars say each day needs its own kaffarah.
• It was a make-up fast or a voluntary fast: there is no kaffarah; a broken make-up fast is simply made up again.
• You were travelling or ill and not fasting that day: there is no kaffarah.

Moving forward

Intimacy is allowed every night of Ramadan, from sunset to dawn; see intimacy at night in Ramadan. Keeping some distance during the day, especially when you know you are vulnerable, helps avoid it happening again. Allah is Most Forgiving to those who turn back to Him.