Source:
Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 580
Question:
If a person deliberately breaks his fast by eating or drinking, does this act require a Kaffārah (expiation) — such as fasting for sixty days, feeding sixty poor people, or clothing them?
Some people say that Kaffārah is only required when a person has intercourse with his wife during the fast. Is there any Qur’anic verse or authentic ḥadīth that proves Kaffārah is also obligatory when the fast is broken by eating or drinking?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Position of the Majority of Scholars (al-Jumhūr)
The majority of Islamic scholars agree that the only act for which both Qaḍāʾ (making up the fast) and Kaffārah (expiation) are required is sexual intercourse during the day in Ramaḍān while fasting.
In all other cases of intentionally breaking the fast (such as eating or drinking), only Qaḍāʾ is obligatory — not Kaffārah.
Evidence from the Sunnah
Ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ:
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَمَرَ رَجُلًا أَفْطَرَ فِي رَمَضَانَ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً، أَوْ يَصُومَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ، أَوْ يُطْعِمَ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Taghlīẓ Taḥrīm al-Jimāʿ fī Nahār Ramaḍān, Vol. 1, p. 355)
Translation:
“A man broke his fast during Ramaḍān, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him:
‘Free a slave, or fast for two consecutive months, or feed sixty poor people.’”
Explanation of the Ḥadīth
◈ The narration mentions the act of “breaking the fast” (afṭara) in general terms.
◈ Linguistically, it could include eating, drinking, or intercourse.
◈ However, by examining other narrations and contextual evidence, scholars concluded that the incident referred specifically to intercourse, because of the severity of the punishment (Kaffārah) mentioned.
Clarification from Imām al-Sayyid Muḥammad Sābiq (Egyptian Scholar)
“As for what invalidates the fast and requires both Qaḍāʾ and Kaffārah, it is only intercourse, according to the majority of scholars.”
(Fiqh al-Sunnah, Vol. 1, p. 394)
Thus, the command in the above ḥadīth — to free a slave, fast for two consecutive months, or feed sixty poor people — applies only to the case of sexual relations during fasting hours, not to eating or drinking.
Summary of the Ruling
✔ If a person deliberately eats or drinks while fasting in Ramaḍān:
- His fast becomes invalid,
- He must perform Qaḍāʾ (make-up fast) for that day,
- But no Kaffārah (expiation) is due.
✔ If a person has intercourse with his spouse during fasting hours:
- He must perform Qaḍāʾ and
- Also offer Kaffārah, which consists of one of the following (in order):
① Freeing a slave,
② Fasting for two consecutive months,
③ Feeding sixty poor people.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
