Thursday 20 Jumada al-ula 1446 - 21 November 2024
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Thinking about Sex While Fasting

Question

If a man was sitting and thinking (about sex), then he went to sleep and ejaculated, whilst he was fasting during the day in Ramadan, does that invalidate his fast, and does he have to make it up?

Summary of answer

Whoever thinks about sex and ejaculates, or has a wet dream and ejaculates, that does not invalidate his fast, but he has to do Ghusl from major impurity.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Whoever thinks about sex and ejaculates , or has a wet dream and ejaculates, that does not invalidate his fast, but he has to do ghusl from major impurity . When Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him);  Does a woman have to do Ghusl if she has a wet dream?, he said, “Yes, if she sees water.” 

The same ruling applies to men, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Water is for water.” 

With regard to his fast, it is valid, because a wet dream is not something that happens by choice. Similarly, thinking is something which is forgiven by Allah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has forgiven my Ummah for wrong thoughts that cross their minds , so long as they do not speak of them or act upon them.” 

This is all kindness from Allah. 

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, vol. 1, p. 243