Your Ramadan queries clarified: Physical contact between husband and wife?

Q) What is the Shariah law as regards physical contact with husband and/or wife during the fasting period of Ramadan?

Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:

"Physical contact that causes any kind of arousal during the fasting period of Ramadan should be stopped immediately. There is nothing wrong with physical or verbal contact with a spouse as long as it does not lead to any violation of the rules of fasting.

A Muslim must keep away from desires that may spoil his/her fast."

Q) What is the ruling of Shariah in case a Muslim has intercourse with his wife during Ramadan?

Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:

“It is forbidden during the day of Ramadan, and penetration will sure break the fast and it is forbidden.

“You must hold on eating and drinking the rest of the day, and the (Kafarah) atonement is the expiation of committing the sin of the intercourse during Ramadan. He should fast for two consecutive months, and if one cannot, then he must feed 60 poor persons.

“The Maalikis have given the choice to the violator: The choice between emancipation and fasting for two consecutive months and feeding is better for him.”

Q) Does sputum break the fast if swallowed?

Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:

"Most of the scholars said If sputum was swallowed during the fasting deliberately, the fast will be invalid and on the contrary, the Malkai Mathahb do not believe that phlegm invalidates the fast and Muslims should complete their fasting."

Q) How should Muslims react when they see non-Muslims eat or drink during Ramadan?

Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai says:

“Non-Muslims living in Muslim countries must respect the beliefs of Muslims.

“They should respect the feelings of Muslims and shouldn’t eat or drink in front of those who fast. However, patients or those travelling are allowed to eat and drink.

Abu Saeed Al Khudri had heard the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) say, ‘Whoever of you sees an evil must then change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then [he must change it ] with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his heart. And that is the slightest [effect of] faith.”

Q) The sighting of the moon signals the beginning of Ramadan. Which Muslim country is assisted by its geographical location on the sighting of the moon first?

Dr Ali Ahmed Mashael, Grand Mufti, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Dubai (IACAD), says:

"There is no Islamic country that has priority over any other in sighting of the moon, but if scientists agree that one country is the right one to see the moon first, obviously, because of the quality of its terrain or weather conditions or otherwise, in such a case we don’t find any problem in following such a country. This has never happened like this until now.

The moon must be seen with the mere eyes and should followed the Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).

Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: “Whenever you sight the New Moon of the month of Ramadan observe the fast and when you sight the New Moon of Shawwal break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe the fast for 30 days.”

This means Muslims all over the world should not rely on astronomers, though they may be referred to .

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