“Sex during Ramadan: Permissible or prohibited?”
Ramadan has certain rules, especially about fasting – but is sex allowed? (Picture: Getty / metro.co.uk)
Ramadan is a holy time in the calendar for those of Muslim faith.
Most notably, it’s associated with fasting – those partaking can only eat when the sun is down.
Sajad Mahmood, CEO of Muslim Charity Right, said: ‘Observing the fast during the holy month is extremely important as it is a time for improving one’s connection to God and is a time for self-reflection, and self-control.
‘Ramadan is a month which should act as a month of spiritual training for the rest of the year. The aim of Ramadan is to help set you up with good habits for the rest of the year so you are stronger spiritually and mentally than you were before.’
But what about sex?
Ramadan is observed by around 1.8 billion Muslims across the world, so are there rules about intimate relationships during the Islamic holy month?
Here’s what is and isn’t allowed.
Is sex allowed during Ramadan?
Prayer and self-reflection is an important part of Ramadan (Picture: Getty Images)
The reality is many Muslims – regardless of their marital status – will still be sexually active during the month of Ramadan.
What is and isn’t allowed is tied to fasting hours.
During the fast, sex is prohibited. Once fasting finishes for the day, those things considered haram in the daylight hours are once again allowed to resume – until fasting recommences the following day.
Mahmood added: ‘Hugging and kissing is allowed between spouses (during daylight hours), as long as it does not lead to more than that.
‘This is so worshippers are not distracted during daylight hours and have more time for worship and for acts of goodness towards others.’
Though most time and energy should be spent on worship, Muslims are allowed to continue with their sex lives.
Islam doesn’t allow for extra-marital sexual relations, so during this holy month, non-marital sex technically should be avoided even more.
However, many practicing Muslims will choose to have sex more freely – just as with all religions, it is down the individual to practice what resonates with them.
When do fasting hours start and end?
Fasting begins just before dawn, and ends at sunset.
Muslims might have a light meal just before the start, then will typically pray at the end.
Ramadan impacts upon many aspects of a person’s life beyond what they eat.
It affects their sex lives, social plans, hobbies and spending habits.
The month is dedicated to worship above all else.
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