Back to search

What is the expiation for having intercourse with one's wife during the daytime in Ramadan after the marriage contract (Aqd al-Qiran) but before the wedding (Zafaf), if one is unable to fast or feed (the poor)? And is sin a reason for an abundance of debts?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If the Islamic marriage contract has been concluded, there is no objection to the husband having intercourse with his wife before the wedding celebration. However, sexual intercourse during the daytime in Ramadan is forbidden by the consensus of the Muslim nation, due to Allah Almighty's saying: "So now have sexual relations with them and seek what Allah has ordained 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 have sexual relations with them while you are in i'tikaf in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them." Furthermore, sexual intercourse during the daytime in Ramadan necessitates expiation (kaffarah) without dispute among scholars. The expiation is to free a slave; if one cannot do so, then to fast for two consecutive months; if one cannot do so, then to feed sixty poor people. If one cannot find any of these, the expiation remains a debt upon him until he is able to perform it. As for the wife, there is a difference of opinion regarding the obligation of expiation upon her.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy