During the holy month of Ramadan, there are lots of strict rules on what you can and what you cannot do as a married couple and in relationships.
The month of Ramadan involves a whole month of daily fasting between early morning and sunset, and sure with meals before and after including five daily prayers throughout the day.
Fasting during Ramadan don’t only means going without any food and drink but also involves abstaining from other regular activities in order to focus your mind and body on the spiritual reflection, religious study and doing good deeds for others.
Many worshippers often prepare with voluntary fasting in the preceding month, along with trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle and increasing their prayers and worship. But there are still many questions about what exactly is permitted during Ramadan.
What are the rules for married couples and relationships during Ramadan?
During the hours of fasting on each day of Ramadan, any intimate activity is not allowed. This means it’s only ok for couples to kiss, hug, cuddle and have sex in the hours before fasting begins and after it ends – as long as they are husband and wife.
Islam doesn’t approve of sexual relationships between those who are not married nor does it permit any kissing in public. Muslim scholars say that during Ramadan, unmarried couples should be apart and only spend time with their own families, in order to avoid any temptations to be affectionate or sexual that could arise from being in other’s company.
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It’s possible to get married during Ramadan but there are no special rules for newlyweds, so they won’t be able to have the usual celebrations of food and drink or be intimate during the hours of fasting. For this reason, it’s best to have the wedding ceremony at least two weeks before the month of Ramadan begins or postpone it until after Ramadan is over.
While it’s regarded as a sin for unmarried couples to engage in sexual acts together during Ramadan or at any other time of year, those who are not married but are still having a full relationship should at least try to avoid being physical with each other during the hours of fasting, experts advised.
For those who are single, conversations with other people are okay but flirting with someone isn’t allowed because it could lead to being more intimate. So it’s advised not to go on dates or attend parties. Scholars also ask people to dress and act modestly.
Also See: Ramadan 101: The Ultimate Guide to Ramadan (Understanding and Observing the Holy Month)
Ramadan 2023: What happens if you break the rules
If you miss or break a fast during Ramadan without a valid reason, there is a punishment for each day when fasting is not properly carried out.
This penalty is called kaffarah and it means such person must fast for 60 consecutive days or, if that’s not possible, you will have to feed 60 poor people with a average of a meal throughout the Ramadan period.
This has to be done every day when a fast is intentionally missed or broken. You can also calculate the money and donate it to charity.