What should I do if I broke my fast for three days in Ramadan by engaging in intercourse, unaware of its expiation, and can feeding the poor be a substitute for fasting two consecutive months, and is it permissible to give the food expiation to an elderly care home?
The expiation for one who breaks their fast in Ramadan due to intercourse is the severe expiation: freeing a slave. If one cannot find a slave, then fasting for two consecutive months. If one is unable to do that, then feeding sixty poor people. This expiation is in this order according to the majority of scholars, and repentance and seeking forgiveness are obligatory. Imam Malik, however, is of the view that it is on the basis of choice, and for each day of breaking the fast due to intercourse, there is a separate expiation. The food must be given only to the poor, and there is nothing upon the woman if she consented voluntarily, according to the more preponderant opinion.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/31169