🕌 Worship in the home · #34
May a husband kiss or embrace his wife while fasting?
It does not break the fast as long as no semen is emitted, but it is disliked for someone who fears losing self-control.
ʿAisha r.a. related that the Prophet ﷺ would kiss and embrace his wives while fasting, and he had more control over his desire than any of you (Sahih al-Bukhari 1927). That last remark is the scholars' basis for saying this concession is for those confident of their self-control. If intimacy leads to emission, the fast is broken and must be made up according to the Shafi'i school, but there is no kaffarah because it was not intercourse. Intercourse during a Ramadan day breaks the fast and requires the heavy kaffarah. Newly married young couples are safer avoiding intimacy during Ramadan days and enjoying its nights, which are permitted. See the question on intimacy during Ramadan days.
ʿAisha r.a. related that the Prophet ﷺ would kiss and embrace his wives while fasting, and he had more control over his desire than any of you (Sahih al-Bukhari 1927). That last remark is the scholars' basis for saying this concession is for those confident of their self-control. If intimacy leads to emission, the fast is broken and must be made up according to the Shafi'i school, but there is no kaffarah because it was not intercourse. Intercourse during a Ramadan day breaks the fast and requires the heavy kaffarah. Newly married young couples are safer avoiding intimacy during Ramadan days and enjoying its nights, which are permitted. See the question on intimacy during Ramadan days.
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 1927Surah al-Baqarah 2:187