✦ By: ʿUbaydullah Tahir ḥafiẓahullāh
✿ Allah Almighty says:
«أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ»
[Surah al-Baqarah: 187]
"It has been made lawful for you to approach your wives during the nights of fasting. They are garments for you and you are garments for them. Allah knew that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now, be intimate with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you."
❀ Ḥadīth:
«عن البراء بن عازب رضى الله عنه قال: لما نزل صوم رمضان كانوا لايقربون النساء رمضان كله، وكان رجال يخونون أنفسهم، فأنزل الله ﴿عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ﴾ »
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib رضي الله عنه said:
When the fasts of Ramadan were first prescribed, the people would abstain from approaching their wives for the entire month — day and night. However, some men secretly violated this, thereby betraying themselves. Then Allah revealed the verse:
«عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ»
Meaning: Allah knew that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4508]
① Initially, marital relations during the nights of Ramadan were not permitted.
② Some companions fell into this due to human weakness, after which divine mercy intervened.
③ Allah ﷻ forgave them and then granted explicit permission for intimacy at night during Ramadan.
④ This verse highlights the balanced nature of Islamic law, accommodating human needs while ensuring discipline during fasting.
❖ Concession for Intimacy with One’s Wife During Ramadan Nights
✿ Allah Almighty says:
«أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ»
[Surah al-Baqarah: 187]
"It has been made lawful for you to approach your wives during the nights of fasting. They are garments for you and you are garments for them. Allah knew that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now, be intimate with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you."
❖ Background of Revelation
❀ Ḥadīth:
«عن البراء بن عازب رضى الله عنه قال: لما نزل صوم رمضان كانوا لايقربون النساء رمضان كله، وكان رجال يخونون أنفسهم، فأنزل الله ﴿عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ﴾ »
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib رضي الله عنه said:
When the fasts of Ramadan were first prescribed, the people would abstain from approaching their wives for the entire month — day and night. However, some men secretly violated this, thereby betraying themselves. Then Allah revealed the verse:
«عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ»
Meaning: Allah knew that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4508]
✔ Key Rulings and Lessons:
① Initially, marital relations during the nights of Ramadan were not permitted.
② Some companions fell into this due to human weakness, after which divine mercy intervened.
③ Allah ﷻ forgave them and then granted explicit permission for intimacy at night during Ramadan.
④ This verse highlights the balanced nature of Islamic law, accommodating human needs while ensuring discipline during fasting.
