SEXUAL INTERCOURSE ALLOWED DURING RAMZAN
The Prophet softens the rigor of the fast somewhat by proclaiming that �eating and drinking in forgetfulness does not break the fast� (2575). Kissing and embracing too are permissible (2436-2450). �Aisha, Hafsa, and Salama, Muhammad�s wives, all report that the Prophet used to kiss them and embrace them while fasting. �Aisha narrates: �The Messenger of Allah kissed one of his wives while he was fasting, and then she [�Aisha] smiled� (2436).
The translator elucidates: �It is one of the great favours of Allah upon humanity that He has guided us in every sector of our life through his Prophet Muhammad. Prior to Islam, the man observing fast separated himself completely from his wives. Islam did not approve this practice� (note 1502).
Sexual intercourse is also permitted during the night of the fast. It has a divine sanction. �It is made lawful for you to go to your wives on the night of the fast,� says the QurAn (2:187). In fact, even if one gets up in a state of seminal emission and the dawn overtakes him without giving him time for the ordained bath, he should still go on with his fast. The state of janabah (in which one is �unclean� and cannot perform a religious act or join in religious assemblies) does not break the fast. �Aisha and Salama, Muhammad�s wives, report: �The Messenger of Allah at times got up in the morning in a state of Junub on account of having a sexual intercourse . . . in the month of RamzAn, and would observe fast� (2454). There are other ahAdIs on the same subject (2451-2456).
This hadIs was checked and rechecked by AbU Bakr himself. At first AbU Huraira thought differently, but when the matter was clarified by �Aisha and Salama, he said, �They have better knowledge,� and retracted his previous position (2451).
Sexual intercourse during the daytime in the month of RamzAn could be atoned for either by freeing a slave or, failing that, by observing a two-month fast or, failing that, by feeding sixty poor men-but during the Prophet�s lifetime, a poor man who violated this prohibition got his expiation at no cost to himself. Muhammad gave him a basket of dates and told him: �Go and give it to your family to eat� (2457).
Missed fasts could be completed later on at any time of the year. Women do not fast during the days of menses but are required to complete the fast the following year before the commencement of the next RamzAn (in the month of Sha�bAn).
author : ram swarup