A man had intercourse with his

Q 6: A man had sexual intercourse with his wife during the day of Ramadan. They kissed, but he did not ejaculate, and she was wearing her clothes. What is the ruling on this? What should he do to expiate for this? Does burning incense invalidate Sawm (fasting)? Please advise, may Allah bless you.

A: First, the man and his wife should repent and ask Allah to forgive them, as they violated the sacredness of their Sawm in Ramadan. Second, each of them has to pay the Kaffarah (expiation) for having intercourse during the day in Ramadan, which is setting free a Muslim slave. If they cannot do this, they must observe Sawm for two consecutive months. If they cannot do it, they should feed sixty needy people half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of wheat, rice or other types of food. They should also make up for that day. (Part No. 10; Page No. 314) Even if they had intercourse while she was wearing her clothes, they have to make up for that day and pay the Kaffarah. Third, as for the incense, there is no harm in it for a fasting person provided that they do not inhale it on purpose. This applies also to all other types of fragrances. It is only forbidden for a person who is in a state of Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) until he ends the state of Ihram.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.