Question

Salam.
I would like to know whether one has to keep qadha only or keep the kaffarah of 60 consecutive fasts for breaking the fast in Ramadan through masturbation.
I have heard that masturbation doesn’t necessitate kaffarah however I have also heard that there’s a difference of opinion in this ruling. Please shed some light – what is the right step to take: qadha or kaffarah?

Also, does it make a difference as to whether the person was aware of masturbation possibly necessitating kaffarah or not.
Jazakallah.

Answer

If a person breaks their fast through masturbation then one fast will have to be made up. A penalty of kaffarah is not binding in this scenario. One must repent for committing this sin and breaking the fast in this manner.

الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (2/ 399)
وكذا الاستمناء بالكف وإن كره تحريما لحديث «ناكح اليد ملعون» ولو خاف الزنى يرجى أن لا وبال عليه

قوله: وكذا الاستمناء بالكف) أي في كونه لا يفسد لكن هذا إذا لم ينزل أما إذا أنزل فعليه القضاء كما سيصرح به وهو المختار كما يأتي لكن المتبادر من كلامه الإنزال بقرينة ما بعده فيكون على خلاف المختار

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel