Must Fast Two Consecutive Months As Expiation for Sexual Intercourse While Fasting In Ramadan
Fatwa No: 1853

Question

My question is about the expiation for having sexual intercourse during daytime in Ramadan, which is to fast two consecutive months. Is it permissible to fast the two months separately, rather than consecutively, throughout the year?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

My respectful brother,

It is not permissible to fast the two months—required as expiation for having sexual intercourse with your wife in Ramadan daytime—separately unless you have a valid excuse, such as having a sickness due to which you will not be able to fast consecutively. In such a case you may fast the required days separately. In this regard, Muslim scholars agree that the expiation for having sexual intercourse during daytime in Ramadan is the same as the expiation for Thihar (the saying of the husband to his wife "You are like my mother to me", i.e. "You are sexually impermissible for me exactly like my mother"). Allah said (what means): {And those who pronounce Thihar from their wives and then [wish to] go back on what they said—then [there must be] the freeing of a slave before they touch one another. That is what you are admonished thereby; and Allah is Acquainted with what you do. And he who does not find [a slave]—then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable— then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.}[Quran 85:3-4]

Allah Knows best.

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