❖ Is There Sin or Expiation for Breaking a Voluntary Fast? ❖
Derived from: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
If someone breaks a voluntary (Nafl) fast in any way, will he be sinful? And if the fast is broken through intercourse, will expiation (Kaffārah) become obligatory?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
If a person is observing a voluntary (Nafl) fast and breaks it — whether by eating, drinking, or intercourse, then:
✿ There is no sin upon him.
✿ The reason is that — unlike Hajj and ʿUmrah — completing voluntary acts of worship is not obligatory once started.
✿ However, it is preferable and more virtuous to complete the act of worship once begun.
✿ No expiation (Kaffārah) is due in this case.
✿ Because completing a voluntary fast is not obligatory, even breaking it through intercourse does not entail Kaffārah.
✿ If a person engages in intercourse during an obligatory fast (such as during Ramadan), then:
❀ This act is impermissible.
❀ It is not allowed to break a Fard fast without valid necessity.
❀ In such a case, Kaffārah (expiation) becomes obligatory, provided:
◈ The act was committed during the day of Ramadan, and
◈ The person was among those upon whom fasting was obligatory.
A noteworthy point in the ruling is the phrase:
"Upon whom fasting was obligatory."
This is to clarify that if:
✿ A man is with his wife while traveling,
✿ Both were observing a fast during travel,
✿ Then they engaged in intercourse,
Then:
✿ Neither of them is sinful,
✿ Nor is expiation (Kaffārah) obligatory upon them.
However:
✿ Both are required to make up (Qaḍāʾ) for the fast of that day.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Derived from: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
❀ Question:
If someone breaks a voluntary (Nafl) fast in any way, will he be sinful? And if the fast is broken through intercourse, will expiation (Kaffārah) become obligatory?
❀ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ Ruling on Breaking a Voluntary Fast:
If a person is observing a voluntary (Nafl) fast and breaks it — whether by eating, drinking, or intercourse, then:
✿ There is no sin upon him.
✿ The reason is that — unlike Hajj and ʿUmrah — completing voluntary acts of worship is not obligatory once started.
✿ However, it is preferable and more virtuous to complete the act of worship once begun.
❖ If the Fast is Broken Through Intercourse During a Nafl Fast:
✿ No expiation (Kaffārah) is due in this case.
✿ Because completing a voluntary fast is not obligatory, even breaking it through intercourse does not entail Kaffārah.
❖ Ruling on Intercourse During an Obligatory (Fard) Fast:
✿ If a person engages in intercourse during an obligatory fast (such as during Ramadan), then:
❀ This act is impermissible.
❀ It is not allowed to break a Fard fast without valid necessity.
❀ In such a case, Kaffārah (expiation) becomes obligatory, provided:
◈ The act was committed during the day of Ramadan, and
◈ The person was among those upon whom fasting was obligatory.
❖ An Exceptional Case – During Travel:
A noteworthy point in the ruling is the phrase:
"Upon whom fasting was obligatory."
This is to clarify that if:
✿ A man is with his wife while traveling,
✿ Both were observing a fast during travel,
✿ Then they engaged in intercourse,
Then:
✿ Neither of them is sinful,
✿ Nor is expiation (Kaffārah) obligatory upon them.
However:
✿ Both are required to make up (Qaḍāʾ) for the fast of that day.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
