Question: If a husband has intercourse with his wife during fasting in Ramadan, who has to pay the expiation (kafarah), the husband or the wife? What if the wife consents?
Answer: If the wife consents to intercourse during fasting in Ramadan, she is also liable to pay expiation, just like the husband. If she could have stopped her husband but did not, it is considered her consent, and thus she has to pay the expiation as well. However, if the husband forces the wife or overpowers her in such a way that she is unable to resist, then the expiation is not upon her, and her fast remains valid. The husband is always responsible for the expiation since he is the primary party involved in the act. But in certain circumstances, as explained above, the wife may also have to pay the expiation.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail
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