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| (Part No. 15; Page No. 303) |
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Having sexual intercourse several times in the daytime of Ramadan out of ignorance of the ruling
From `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz to the honorable brother. May Allah guide you to all goodness, Amen. 
As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you).I received your letter in which you mentioned that you had sexual intercourse several times with your wife in the daytime of Ramadan while being ignorant of the prohibition to do so.
A: Undoubtedly, Allah (Glorified be He) forbids His Servants to break their Sawm (Fast) in the daytime of Ramadan whether by eating, drinking, or having sexual intercourse. Allah (Exalted be He) obligates Kaffarah (expiation) on whoever had sexual intercourse in the daytime in Ramadan while being Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions), healthy, and resident. The Kaffarah is to free a slave or, in case of inability to do so, to observe Sawm for two consecutive months or, in case of inability to do so, to feed sixty Miskins (needy) people half |
| (Part No. 15; Page No. 304) |
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a Sa` (1 Sa` = 3 kg. approx.) of the staple food of the country per each. However, Muslim scholars differed regarding the ruling on the resident and healthy Mukallaf who had sexual intercourse with his wife in the daytime of Ramadan while being ignorant of the prohibition to do so. Some held the view that such a person has to make the same Kaffarah, as he was careless, as he did not enquire beforehand about the ruling or try to obtain knowledge of his Din (religion). Some other scholars stated that the concerned person does not have to make any Kaffarah as he was ignorant of the ruling. Thus, you may know now that to be on the safe side, you have to make the Kaffarah as you were heedless and you had not enquired about the ruling before you indulged in sexual intercourse. However, in case of your inability to free a slave or fast two consecutive months, it is sufficient that you feed sixty Miskins (needy people) for each day of Ramadan in which you had sexual intercourse. Thus, if you had sexual intercourse two days in Ramadan, you have to make two Kaffarahs. Likewise, if you had sexual intercourse three days in Ramadan, you have to make three Kaffarahs and so on. On the other hand, one Kaffarah only is sufficient for whatever several intercourses you had in one day in Ramadan. This is better for you to be in the safe side, discharge your responsibility, avoid differences of scholars, and compensate for the days you missed. Moreover, if you do not know exactly the number of days when you had sexual intercourse, be on the safe side by considering the larger number. For example, if you doubt whether they were three or four days, regard them as four and so on. Nevertheless, it is only Wajib (obligatory) on you to make Kaffarah for the number of days about which you are sure. May Allah guide us and you to all that pleases Him and relieve us of all burdens. As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.