أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌۭ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَٱلْـَٰٔنَ بَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مَا كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا۟ ٱلصِّيَامَ إِلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَسَٰجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
Dihalalkan bagi kamu pada malam hari bulan puasa bercampur dengan isteri-isteri kamu; mereka adalah pakaian bagimu, dan kamupun adalah pakaian bagi mereka. Allah mengetahui bahwasanya kamu tidak dapat menahan nafsumu, karena itu Allah mengampuni kamu dan memberi maaf kepadamu. Maka sekarang campurilah mereka dan ikutilah apa yang telah ditetapkan Allah untukmu, dan makan minumlah hingga terang bagimu benang putih dari benang hitam, yaitu fajar. Kemudian sempurnakanlah puasa itu sampai (datang) malam, (tetapi) janganlah kamu campuri mereka itu, sedang kamu beri'tikaf dalam mesjid. Itulah larangan Allah, maka janganlah kamu mendekatinya. Demikianlah Allah menerangkan ayat-ayat-Nya kepada manusia, supaya mereka bertakwa.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Eating, Drinking and Sexual Intercourse are allowed during the Nights of Ramadan
These Ayat contain a relief from Allah for the Muslims by ending the practice that was observed in the early years of Islam. At that time, Muslims were allowed to eat, drink and have sexual intercourse only until the `Isha' (Night) prayer, unless one sleeps before the `Isha' prayer. Those who slept before `Isha' or offered the `Isha' prayer, were not allowed to drink, eat or sexual intervourse sex until the next night. The Muslims found that to be difficult for them.
The Ayat used the word `Rafath' to indicate sexual intercourse, according to Ibn `Abbas, `Ata' and Mujahid. Similar Tafsir was offered by Sa`id bin Jubayr, Tawus, Salim bin `Abdullah, `Amr bin Dinar, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Az-Zuhri, Ad-Dahhak, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, As-Suddi, `Ata' Al-Khurasani and Muqatil bin Hayyan.
Allah said:
هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ
(They are Libas i.e., body-cover, or screen for you and you are Libas for them.)
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Muqatil bin Hayyan said that this Ayah means, "Your wives are a resort for you and you for them." Ar-Rabi` bin Anas said, "They are your cover and you are their cover." In short, the wife and the husband are intimate and have sexual intercourse with each other, and this is why they were permitted to have sexual activity during the nights of Ramadan, so that matters are made easier for them.
Abu Ishaq reported that Al-Bara' bin `Azib said, "When the Companions of Allah's Messenger ﷺ observed fast but would sleep before breaking their fast, they would continue fasting until the following night. Qays bin Sirmah Al-Ansari was fasting one day and was working in his land. When the time to break the fast came, he went to his wife and said, `Do you have food' She said, `No. But I could try to get you some.' His eyes then were overcome by sleep and when his wife came back, she found him asleep. She said, `Woe unto you! Did you sleep' In the middle of the next day, he lost consciousness and mentioned what had happened to the Prophet . Then, this Ayah was revealed: r
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَآئِكُمْ
(It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Siyam (fasting)) until...
وَكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
(and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall. ) Consequently, they were very delighted." Al-Bukhari reported this Hadith by Abu Ishaq who related that he heard Al-Bara' say, "When fasting Ramadan was ordained, Muslims used to refrain from sleeping with their wives the entire month, but some men used to deceive themselves. Allah revealed:
عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ
(Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you.)
`Ali bin Abu Talhah narrated that Ibn `Abbas said, "During the month of Ramadan, after Muslims would pray `Isha', they would not touch their women and food until the next night. Then some Muslims, including `Umar bin Al-Khattab, touched (had sex with) their wives and had some food during Ramadan after `Isha'. They complained to Allah's Messenger ﷺ . Then Allah sent down:
عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ فَالـنَ بَـشِرُوهُنَّ
(Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them)" This is the same narration that Al-`Awfi related from Ibn `Abbas.
Allah said:
وَابْتَغُواْ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
(. ..and seek that which Allah has ordained for you (offspring),)
Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Abbas, Anas, Shurayh Al-Qadi, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ata', Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, As-Suddi, Zayd bin Aslam, Hakam bin `Utbah, Muqatil bin Hayyan, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, and others said that this Ayah refers to having offspring. Qatadah said that the Ayah means, "Seek the permission that Allah has allowed for you." Sa`id narrated that Qatadah said,
وَابْتَغُواْ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
(and seek that which Allah has ordained for you,)
Time for Suhur
Allah said:
وَكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ الصِّيَامَ إِلَى الَّيْلِ
(...and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall.)
Allah has allowed eating and drinking, along with having sexual intercourse, as we have stated, during any part of the night until the light of dawn is distinguished from the darkness of the night. Allah has described that time as `distinguishing the white thread from the black thread.' He then made it clearer when He said:
مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
(of dawn.)
As stated in a Hadith that Imam Abu `Abdullah Al-Bukhari recorded, Sahl bin Sa`d said, "When the following verse was revealed:
وَكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ
(Eat and drink until the white thread appears to you, distinct from the black thread) and (of dawn) was not revealed, some people who intended to fast, tied black and white threads to their legs and went on eating till they differentiated between the two. Allah then revealed the words, (of dawn), and it became clear to them that it meant (the darkness of) night and (the light of) day. "
Al-Bukhari recorded that Ash-Sha`bi said that `Adi said, "I took two strings, one black and the other white and kept them under my pillow and went on looking at them throughout the night, but could not make any distinction between the two. So, the next morning I went to Allah's Messenger ﷺ and told him the whole story. He said:
«إِنَّ وِسَادَكَ إِذًا لَعَرِيضٌ، أَنْ كَانَ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ وَالْأَسْوَدُ تَحْتَ وِسَادَتِك»
(Your pillow is very wide if the white and black threads are under it!) Some wordings for this Hadith read,
«إِنَّكَ لَعَرِيضُ الْقَفَا»
(Your Qafa (back side of your neck) is wide!)
Some people said that these words meant that `Adi was not smart. This is a weak opinion. The narration that Al-Bukhari collected explains this part of the Hadith. Al-Bukhari recorded that `Adi bin Hatim narrated: I said, "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! What is the white thread from the black thread Are they actual threads" He said:
«إنَّكَ لَعَرِيضُ الْقَفَا أَنْ أَبْصَرْتَ الْخَيْطَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: لَا بَلْ هُوَ سَوَادُ اللَّيْلِ وَبَيَاضُ النَّهَار»
(Your Qafa is wide if you see the two threads. Rather, they are the blackness of the night and the whiteness of the daylight.)
Suhur is recommended
Allah allowed eating and drinking until dawn, it represents proof that Suhur is encouraged, since it is a Rukhsah (concession or allowance) and Allah likes that the Rukhsah is accepted and implemented. The authentic Sunnah indicates that eating the Suhur is encouraged. It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Anas narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَة»
(Eat the Suhur, for there is a blessing in Suhur.)
Muslim reported that `Amr bin Al-`As narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«إِنَّ فَصْلَ مَا بَيْنَ صِيَامِنَا وصِيَامِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ أَكْلَةُ السَّحَر»
(The distinction between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book is the meal of Suhur.)
Imam Ahmad reported that Abu Sa`id narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«السَّحُورُ أَكْلُهُ بَرَكَةٌ فَلَا تَدَعُوهُ، وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ تَجْرَعُ جُرْعَةَ مَاءٍ، فَإِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّون عَلَى الْمُتَسَحِّرِين»
(Suhur is a blessed meal. Hence, do not abandon it, even if one just takes a sip of water. Indeed, Allah and His angels send Salah (blessings) upon those who eat Suhur.)
There are several other Hadiths that encourage taking the Suhur, even if it only consists of a sip of water.
It is preferred that Suhur be delayed until the time of dawn. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Anas bin Malik narrated that Zayd bin Thabit said, "We had Suhur with Allah's Messenger ﷺ and then went on to pray." Anas asked, "How much time was there between the Adhan (call to prayer) and the Suhur" He said, "The time that fifty Ayat take (to recite)."
Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Dharr saying that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَا تَزَالُ أُمَّتِي بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْإِفْطَارَ وَأَخَّرُوا السُّحُور»
(My Ummah will always retain goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast and delay the Suhur.)
There are several Hadiths that narrate that the Prophet called Suhur "the blessed meal."
There are narrations from several of the Salaf that they allowed the Suhur to be eaten later until close to Fajr. This is is reported from Abu Bakr, `Umar, `Ali, Ibn Mas`ud, Hudhayfah, Abu Hurayrah, Ibn `Umar, Ibn `Abbas and Zayd bin Thabit. It is also reported from many of the Tabi`in, such as Muhammad bin `Ali bin Husayn, Abu Mijlaz, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, Abu Ad-Duha, Abu Wa'il and other companions of Ibn Mas`ud. This is also the opinion of `Ata', Al-Hasan, Hakam bin `Uyainah, Mujahid, `Urwah bin Az-Zubayr, Abu Sha`tha' Jabir bin Zayd, Al- A`mash and Ma`mar bin Rashid. We have mentioned the chains of narrations for their statements in our (Ibn Kathir's) book about Siyam (Fasting), and all praise is due to Allah.
It is also recorded in the Two Sahihs that Al-Qasim said that `A'ishah narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَا يَمْنَعُكُمْ أَذَانُ بِلَالٍ عَنْ سَحُورِكُمْ، فَإِنَّهُ يُنَادِي بِلَيْلٍ، فَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى تَسْمَعُوا أَذَانَ ابْنِ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يُؤَذِّنُ حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْر»
(The Adhan pronounced by Bilal should not stop you from taking Suhur, for he pronounces the Adhan at night. Hence, eat and drink until you hear the Adhan by Ibn Umm Maktum, for he does not call the Adhan until dawn.)
This is the wording collected by Al-Bukhari.
Imam Ahmad reported that Qays bin Talq quoted from his father that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَيْسَ الْفَجْرُ الْمُسْتَطِيلَ فِي الْأُفُقِ وَلَكِنِ الْمُعْتَرِضُ الْأَحْمَر»
(Dawn is not the (ascending) glow of white light of the horizon. Rather, it is the red (radiating) light.)
Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi also recorded this Hadith, but their wording is:
«كُلُوا واشْرَبُوا، وَلَا يَهِيدَنَّكُمُ السَّاطِعُ الْمُصْعِدُ، فَكُلُوا واشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَعْتَرِضَ لَكُمُ الْأَحْمَر»
(Eat and drink and do not be rushed by the ascending (white) light. Eat and drink until the redness (of the dawn) appears.)
Ibn Jarir (At-Tabari) recorded that Samurah bin Jundub narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ أَذَانُ بِلَالٍ وَلَا هَذَا الْبَيَاضُ لِعَمُودِ الصُّبْحِ حَتَّى يَسْتَطِير»
(Do not be stopped by Bilal's Adhan or the (ascending) whiteness, until it spreads.) Muslim also recorded this Hadith.
Q: Is it "Haram" to begin fasting while "Junub"?
Answer to: "Is there harm in starting the month of fasting while junub?" is: NO.
Issue: Among the benefits of allowing sexual activity, eating and drinking until dawn for those who are fasting, is that it is allowed to start the fast while Junub (in the state of impurity after sexual discharge), and there is no harm in this case if one takes a bath any time in the morning after waking up, and completes the fast. This is the opinion of the Four Imams and the majority of the scholars. Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that `A'ishah and Umm Salamah said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to wake up while Junub from sexual intercourse, not wet dreams, and he would take a bath and fast. Umm Salamah added that he would not break his fast or make up for that day.
Muslim recorded that `A'ishah said that a man asked:
يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، تُدْرِكُنِي الصَّلَاةُ وَأَنَا جَنُبٌ فَأَصُومُ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِصلى الله عليه وسلّم:
«وَأَنَا تُدْرِكُنِي الصَّلاةُ وَأَنَا جُنُبٌ فَأَصُوم»
"O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! The (Dawn) prayer time starts while I am Junub, should I fast" Allah's Messenger ﷺ replied, (And I. The prayer time starts while I am Junub and I fast.)
He said, "You are not like us, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! Allah has forgiven your previous and latter sins." Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«وَاللهِ إِنَّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَخْشَاكُمْ للهِ وَأَعْلَمَكُمْ بِمَا أَتَّقِي»
(By Allah! I hope that I have the most fear from Allah among you and the best knowledge of what Taqwa is.)
And Allah Knows Best
Question: "Does Fasting End Exactly at Sunset?"
Answer: Let us look to what Allah said:
ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ الصِّيَامَ إِلَى الَّيْلِ
(...then complete your fast till the nightfall.)
This Ayah orders breaking the fast at sunset. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that `Umar bin Al-Khattab said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«إِذَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّيْلُ مِنْ ههُنَا، وَأَدْبَرَ النَّهَارُ مِنْ ههُنَا فَقَدْ أَفْطَرَ الصَّائِم»
(If the night comes from this direction (the east), and the day departs from that direction (the west), then the fasting person breaks his fast.)
It is reported that Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْر»
(The people will retain goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast.)
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said:
«يَقُولُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: إِنَّ أَحَبَّ عِبَادِي إِلَيَّ أَعْجَلُهُمْ فِطْرًا»
(Allah the Exalted said, `The dearest among My servants to Me are those who hasten in breaking the fast the most.')
At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith and said that this Hadith is Hasan Gharib.
Prohibition of Uninterrupted Fasting (Wisal)
There are several authentic Hadiths that prohibit Al-Wisal, which means continuing the fast through the night to the next night, without eating. Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Hurayrah saying that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَا تُوَاصِلُوا»
قَالُوا: يَارَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ، قَالَ:
«فَإِنِّي لَسْتُ مِثْلَكُمْ إِنِّي أَبِيتُ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِي»
(Do not practice Al-Wisal in fasting.) So, they said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal, O Allah's Messenger ﷺ!" The Prophet replied, "(I am not like you, I am given food and drink during my sleep by my Lord.) ,So, when the people refused to stop Al-Wisal, the Prophet fasted two days and two nights (along with those who practiced Wisal) and then they saw the crescent moon (of the month of Shawwal). The Prophet said to them (angrily):
«لَوْ تَأَخَّرَ الْهِلَالُ لَزِدْتُكُم»
(If the crescent had not appeared, I would have made you fast for a longer period.)
That was as a punishment for them (when they refused to stop practicing Al-Wisal). This Hadith is also recorded in the Sahihayn.
The prohibition of Al-Wisal was also mentioned in a number of other narrations. It is a fact that practicing Al-Wisal was one of the special qualities of the Prophet , for he was capable and assisted in his practice of it. It is obvious that the food and drink that the Prophet used to get while practicing Al-Wisal was spiritual and not material, otherwise he would not be practicing Al-Wisal. We should mention that it is allowed to refrain from breaking the fast from sunset until before dawn (Suhur). A Hadith narrated by Abu Sa`id Khudri states that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«لَا تُوَاصِلُوا فَأَيُّكُمْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُوَاصِلَ فَلْيُوَاصِلْ إِلَى السَّحَر»
(Do not practice Al-Wisal, but whoever wishes is allowed to practice it until the Suhur.)
They said, "You practice Al-Wisal, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ!" He said:
«إِنِّي لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ، إِنِّي أَبِيتُ لِي مُطْعِمٌ يُطْعِمُنِي وَسَاقٍ يَسْقِينِي»
(I am not similar to you, for I have One Who makes me eat and drink during the night.) This Hadith is also collected in the Two Sahihs.
The Rulings of I`tikaf
Allah said:
وَلاَ تُبَـشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَـكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَـجِدِ
(And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I`tikaf in the Masjids.)
`Ali bin Abu Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "This Ayah is about the man who stays in I`tikaf at the mosque during Ramadan or other months, Allah prohibited him from touching (having sexual intercourse with) women, during the night or day, until he finishes his I`tikaf." Ad-Dahhak said, "Formerly, the man who practiced I`tikaf would go out of the mosque and, if he wished, would have sexual intercourse (with his wife). Allah then said:
وَلاَ تُبَـشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَـكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَـجِدِ
(And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I`tikaf in the Masjids.) meaning, `Do not touch your wives as long as you are in I`tikaf, whether you were in the mosque or outside of it'." It is also the opinion of Mujahid, Qatadah and several other scholars, that the Muslims used to have sexual intercourse with the wife while in I`tikaf if they departed the mosque until the Ayah was revealed. Ibn Abu Hatim commented, "It was reported that Ibn Mas`ud, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Mujahid, `Ata' Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Muqatil said that the Ayah means, `Do not touch the wife while in I`tikaf."'
What Ibn Abu Hatim reported from these people is the agreed upon practice among the scholars. Those who are in I`tikaf are not allowed to have sexual intercourse as long as they are still in I`tikaf in the mosque. If one has to leave the mosque to attend to a need, such as to relieve the call of nature or to eat, he is not allowed to kiss or embrace his wife or to busy himself with other than his I`tikaf. He is not even allowed to visit ailing persons, but he can merely ask about their condition while passing by. I`tikaf has several other rulings that are explained in the books (of Fiqh), and we have mentioned several of these rulings at the end of our book on Siyam (Fasting), all praise is due to Allah. Furthermore, the scholars of Fiqh used to follow their explanation of the rules for fasting with the explanation of the rules for I`tikaf, as this is the way these acts of worship were mentioned in the Qur'an.
By mentioning I`tikaf after fasting, Allah draws attention to practicing I`tikaf during the month of the fast, especially the last part of the month. The Sunnah of Allah's Messenger ﷺ is that he used to perform I`tikaf during the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan until he died. Afterwards, the Prophet's wives used to perform I`tikaf as the Two Sahihs recorded from `A'ishah the Mother of the believers. It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Safiyyah, the daughter of Huyai, went to Allah's Messenger ﷺ to visit him in the mosque while he was in I`tikaf. She had a talk with him for a while, then she got up in order to return home. The Prophet accompanied her back home, as it was night. Her house was at Usamah bin Zayd's house on the edge of Al-Madinah. While they were walking, two Ansari men met them and passed by them in a hurry, for they were shy to bother the Prophet while he was walking with his wife. He told them:
«عَلى رِسْلِكُمَا، إِنَّهَا صَفِيَّةُ بِنْتُ حُيَي»
(Do not run away! She is (my wife) Safiyyah bint Huyai.) Both of them said, "All praise is due to Allah, (How dare we think of any evil) O Allah's Messenger ﷺ!" The Prophet said (to them):
«إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَجْرِي مِنِ ابْنِ آدَمَ مَجْرَى الدَّمِ، وَإِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَنْ يَقْذِفَ فِي قُلُوبِكُمَا شَيْئًا، أَوْ قَالَ: شَرًّا»
(Shaytan reaches everywhere in the human body, that the blood reaches. I was afraid lest Shaytan might suggest an evil thought in your minds.)
Imam Ash-Shafi`i commented, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ sought to teach his Ummah to instantly eliminate any evil thought, so that they do not fall into the prohibited. They (the two Ansari men) had more fear of Allah than to think evil of the Prophet . Allah knows best."
The Ayah (2:187) prohibits sexual intercourse and anything like kissing or embracing that might lead to it during I`tikaf. As for having the wife helping the husband, it is allowed. It is reported in the Two Sahihs that `A'ishah said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ would bring his head near me (in her room) and I would comb his hair, while I was on my menses. He would enter the room only to attend to what a man needs."
Allah's statement:
تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ
(These are the limits (set) by Allah) means, `This is what We have explained, ordained, specified, allowed and prohibited for fasting. We also mentioned the fast's objectives, what is permitted during it, and what is required of it. These are the set limits that Allah has legislated and explained, so do not come near them or transgress them.' `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "(Allah's set limits mentioned in the Ayah) mean these four limits (and he then recited):
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَآئِكُمْ
(It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Siyam (fasting).) and he recited up to:
ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ الصِّيَامَ إِلَى الَّيْلِ
(then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall.) My father and other's used to say similarly and recite the same Ayah to us."
Allah said:
كَذلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ
(Thus does Allah make clear His Ayat to mankind) meaning, `Just as He explains the fast and its rulings, He also explains the other rulings by the words of His servant and Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ .' Allah continues:
لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
(to mankind that they may attain Taqwa.) meaning, `So that they know how to acquire the true guidance and how to worship (Allah).' Similarly, Allah said:
هُوَ الَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ ءَايَـتٍ بَيِّنَـتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَكُمْ مِّنَ الظُّلُمَـتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
(It is He Who sends down manifest Ayat to His servant (Muhammad ) that He may bring you out from (types of) darkness into the light. And verily, Allah is to you full of kindness, Most Merciful.) (57:9)
Hadits Terkait
Telah mengabarkan kepada kami [Ishaq bin Ibrahim] dia berkata; Telah menceritakan kepada kami [Sulaiman bin Harb] dia berkata; Telah menceritakan kepada kami [Hammad bin Salamah] dari [Tsabit] dari [Anas] dia berkata; Bahwa orang Yahudi apabila ada istri mereka sedang haid, maka mereka tidak mengajak makan bersama, tidak mempergaulinya, dan tidak berkumpul bersamanya di rumah. Mereka bertanya kepada Nabi Allah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam tentang hal itu? Lalu Allah Azza wa Jalla menurunkan ayat " Mereka bertanya kepadamu tentang haid. Katakanlah, (Hai Muhammad) bahwa itu adalah penyakit… (Qs. Al-Baqarah (2): 222) lalu Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam memerintahkan mereka untuk ikut makan bersama, mempergaulinya, berkumpul dengan mereka di rumah, dan untuk berbuat apa saja selain bersetubuh
Telah menceritakan kepadaku [Muhammad bin Minhal adl-Dlarir] dan [Umayyah bin Bistham al-Aisyi] dan lafazh tersebut milik Umayyah, keduanya berkata, telah menceritakan kepada kami [Yazid bin Zurai'] telah menceritakan kepada kami [Rauh] -yaitu Ibnu al-Qasim- dari [al-Ala'] dari [bapaknya] dari [Abu Hurairah] dia berkata, "Ketika turun ayat pada Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam: '(Kepunyaan Allah-lah segala apa yang ada di langit dan di bumi. Dan jika kamu melahirkan apa yang ada di dalam hatimu atau kamu menyembunyikannya, niscaya Allah akan membuat perhitungan dengan kamu tentang perbuatanmu itu. Maka Allah mengampuni siapa yang dikehendaki-Nya dan menyiksa siapa yang dikehendaki-Nya; dan Allah Maha Kuasa atas segala sesuatu) ' (Qs. al-Baqarah: 284) ' Abu Hurairah berkata, 'Maka hal tersebut terasa berat atas para sahabat Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, lalu mereka mendatangi Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam dan mengucapkan salam di atas kendaraan seraya berkata, 'Wahai Rasulullah, kami diberi beban amalan yang mana kami tidak mampu melakukan shalat, puasa, jihad, dan sedekah. Sungguh telah diturunkan ayat ini kepadamu, dan kami tidak mampu melakukannya! Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam bersabda: "Apakah kamu ingin mengucapkan sebagaimana ahli kitab sebelum kalian mengucapkan, 'Kami mendengar dan kami mendurhakai', akan tetapi katakanlah, 'Kami mendengar dan kami menaati, Ampunilah kami ya Rabb kami dan kepada Engkaulah tempat kembali'. Mereka menjawab, 'Kami mendengar dan kami menaatinya, ampunilah kami ya Rabb kami dan kepada Engkaulah tempat kembali.' Ketika kaum tersebut membacanya, maka lisan-lisan mereka tunduk dengannya, lalu Allah menurunkan sesudahnya: '(Rasul telah beriman kepada al-Qur'an yang diturunkan kepadanya dari Rabbnya, demikian pula orang-orang yang beriman. Semuanya beriman kepada Allah, malaikat-malaikat-Nya, kitab-kitab-Nya dan rasul-rasul-Nya. (Mereka mengatakan), 'Kami tidak membeda-bedakan antara seorang pun (dengan yang lain) dari rasul-rasul-Nya', dan mereka mengatakan, 'Kami dengar dan kami taat'. (Mereka berdoa), 'Ampunilah kami ya Rabb kami dan kepada Engkaulah tempat kembali'. (Qs. al-Baqarah: 285). Ketika mereka melakukan hal tersebut, maka Allah menghapusnya, lalu menurunkan: '(Allah tidak membebani seseorang melainkan sesuai dengan kesanggupannya. Ia mendapat pahala (dari kebajikan) yang diusahakannya dan mendapat siksa (dari kejahatan) yang dikerjakannya. (Mereka berdoa): "Ya Rabb kami, janganlah Engkau hukum kami jika kami lupa atau kami bersalah) ' Allah menjawab: "Ya." '(Ya Rabb kami, janganlah Engkau bebankan kepada kami beban yang berat sebagaimana Engkau bebankan kepada orang-orang yang sebelum kami) ' Allah menjawab: "Ya." '(Wahai Rabb kami, janganlah Engkau pikulkan kepada kami apa yang tak sanggup kami memikulnya) ' Allah menjawab: "Ya." '(Beri maaflah kami; ampunilah kami; dan rahmatilah kami. Engkaulah Penolong kami, maka tolonglah kami terhadap kaum yang kafir'. (Qs. al-Baqarah: 286). Allah menjawab: "Ya
Dan telah menceritakan kepada kami [Abu Bakar bin Abu Syaibah] telah menceritakan kepada kami [Abu Usamah] telah menceritakan kepada kami [Malik bin Mighwal]. (dalam riwayat lain disebutkan) Dan telah menceritakan kepada kami [Ibnu Numair] dan [Zuhair bin Harb] semuanya dari [Abdullah bin Numair] dan lafazh mereka saling berdekatan. [Ibnu Numair] berkata, telah menceritakan kepada kami [bapakku] telah menceritakan kepada kami [Malik bin Mighwal] dari [az-Zubair bin Adi] dari [Thalhah] dari [Murrah] dari [Abdullah] dia berkata, "Ketika Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam diisra'kan maka beliau dihentikan di Sidrah al-Muntaha, (yaitu tempat) yang terletak di langit keenam. Sesuatu yang naik dari bumi akan bermuara di sana dan ditahan padanya. Dan sesuatu dari atasnya berhenti padanya, lalu ditahan padanya." Allah berfirman: '(Muhammad melihat Jibril) ketika Sidratil Muntaha diliputi oleh sesuatu yang meliputinya) ' (Qs. An Najm: 16). Abdullah berkata lagi, "Yaitu hamparan dari emas." Dia berkata lagi, "Lalu Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam diberi tiga hal: shalat lima waktu, ayat-ayat penutup surat al-Baqarah, dan diampuni dosa-dosa besar milik orang yang tidak mensyirikkan Allah dengan sesuatu pun dari kalangan umat beliau
Telah menceritakan kepada kami [Amru bin Marzuq] telah mengabarkan kepada kami [Syu'bah] dari [Amru bin Murrah] dia berkata; Saya telah mendengar [Ibnu Abi Laila] -dari jalur lainnya- Dan telah menceritakan kepada kami [Ibnu Al-Mutsanna] telah menceritakan kepada kami [Muhammad bin Ja'far] dari [Syu'bah] dari [Amru bin Murrah] saya telah mendengar [Ibnu Abi Laila] berkata; Pelaksanaan shalat itu telah mengalami tiga kali perubahan. Dia berkata; Telah menceritakan kepada kami [Sahabat sahabat kami], bahwasanya Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam bersabda: "Sungguh saya sangat senang, sekiranya pelaksanaan shalat kaum Muslimin atau Mukminin dapat dijadikan satu (Jama'ah), sehingga saya mempunyai keinginan yang besar untuk menyebarkan orang orang ke kampung-kampung menyerukan waktu shalat kepada orang banyak. Dan saya mempunyai keinginan besar untuk memerintahkan beberapa orang berdiri di atas bangunan bangunan tinggi menyerukan waktu shalat kepada kaum Muslimin, sehingga mereka memukul atau hampir saja memukul kentongan." Dia berkata; Maka datang seorang laki laki dari kaum Anshar, lalu berkata; Wahai Rasulullah, sesungguhnya ketika saya pulang, karena sedemikian besar perhatianku terhadap perhatianmu (tentang cara pelaksanaan shalat), saya melihat seorang laki laki seakan akan memakai dua kain hijau. Lalu orang tersebut berdiri di atas masjid dan mengumandangkan adzan. Kemudian dia duduk sebentar, lalu berdiri lagi mengucapkan yang diucapkan sebelumnya, hanya saja dia mengucapkan (untuk yang kedua kalinya) Qad qaamatis shalaah (sholat telah di kerjakan), seandianya bukan karena takut nanti orang-orang akan mengatakan (saya berdusta), Ibnu Al-Mutsanna menyebutkan; seandainya bukan karena takut nanti kalian akan mengatakan (saya berdusta), tentu saya mengatakan bahwa sungguh saya ketika itu dalam keadaan terjaga, tidak tidur. Maka Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam bersabda, -Ibnu Al-Mutsanna menyebutkan; beliau bersabda: - "Sungguh Allah telah memperlihatkan kepadamu suatu kebaikan -Sedangkan Amru tidak menyebutkan sabda beliau: Allah telah memperlihatkan kepadamu suatu kebaikan-, maka suruhlah Bilal untuk mengumandangkan adzan itu. Katanya; Lalu Umar berkata; Sungguh saya telah bermimpi seperti yang diimpikannya, tetapi karena saya didahului (untuk melaporkan kepada Rasulullah), maka saya merasa malu. Dan telah menceritakan kepada kami para sahabat kami; Biasanya seseorang jika dia datang (terlambat), bertanya kepada sebagian jama'ah itu, maka beritahukan kepadanya raka'at yang telah lewat (tertinggal). Sedangkan waktu itu, jama'ah yang bersama Rasulullah, ada yang berdiri, ada yang ruku, ada yang duduk, dan ada pula yang shalat bersama Rasulullah. Berkata [Ibnu Al-Mutssanna] berkata [Amru] telah menceritakan kepadaku [Hushain] dari [Ibnu Abi Laila] hingga datang Mu'adz. Berkata [Syu'bah] saya telah mendengarnya dari [Hushain], lalu perawi berkata; Saya tidak melihatnya pada keadaan… hingga ucapan: Demikian, maka lakukanlah itu. Abu Dawud berkata; Kemudian saya kembali pada hadits Amru bin Marzuq dia berkata; Mu'adz datang, kemudian mereka mengisyaratkan kepadanya. Syu'bah berkata; Ini saya dengar dari Hushain, dia berkata; Mu'adz berkata; Saya tidak melihatnya dalam satu kedaan melainkan saya padanya. Mu'adz berkata; Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam bersabda: "Sesungguhnya Mu'adz telah menunjukkan satu sunnah kepada kalian, maka lakukanlah yang demikian." Dia Ibnu Abi Lailah berkata; Sahabat-sahabat kami telah menceritakan kepada kami, bahwasanya ketika Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam datang ke Madinah, beliau memerintahkan berpuasa tiga hari (tiap bulan), lalu turun perintah puasa pada bulan Ramadhan, sedangkan mereka adalah kaum yang tidak terbiasa berpuasa, sehingga puasa terasa amat berat bagi mereka. Maka mereka yang tidak berpuasa memberi makan orang miskin. Lalu turunlah ayat ini (yang artinya): (Karena itu, barangsiapa di antara kamu hadir (di negeri tempat tinggalnya) pada bulan itu, maka hendaklah dia berpuasa pada bulan itu). (Al-Baqarah: 185). Di dalam ayat ini disebutkan bahwa keringanan itu untuk orang sakit dan musafir. Karena itu, mereka diwajibkan berpuasa. Kata Ibnu Abi Lahi'ah; para sahabat kami telah menceritakan kepada kami, katanya; Kebiasaan saat itu, apabila seseorang memasuki waktu berbuka, lalu tidur sebelum makan, maka dia tidak makan malam itu sampai pagi. Dia berkata; Lalu Umar bin Khaththab datang kepada istrinya hendak mengumpulinya, namun istrinya berkata; Sesungguhnya saya telah tidur sebelum makan (berbuka), namun Umar menyangka bahwa istrinya itu hanya beralasan untuk menghindar darinya, karena itu Umar tetap mengumpulinya. Kemudian datang pula seorang laki laki yang berpuasa dari golongan Anshar, lalu dia hendak makan (berbuka), maka keluarganya berkata; Tunggu, kami akan menghangatkan makanan untukmu, Ialu laki laki itu tidur. Maka ketika pagi harinya, turunlah ayat kepada beliau shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam tentang peristiwa ini, ayat tersebut (artinya): "Dihalalkan bagi kamu pada malam puasa mengumpuli istri istri kamu". (QS. Albaqarah)
Telah menceritakan kepada kami [Muhammad bin Al-Mutsanna] dari [Abu Dawud] Al-Hadits. Dan telah menceritakan kepada kami [Nashr bin Al-Muhajir] telah menceritakan kepada kami [Yazid bin Harun] dari [Al-Mas'udi] dari [Amru bin Murrah] dari [Ibnu Abi Laila] dari [Mu'adz bin Jabbal] dia berkata; Pelaksanaan shalat telah mengalami perubahan tiga kali, dan demikian pula pelaksanaan puasa, kemudian Nashr melanjutkan Hadits ini secara panjang lebar. Sedangkan Ibnu Al-Mutsanna hanya menyebutkan kisah shalat mereka yang menghadap Baitul Maqdis. Dia berkata; Cara pelaksanaan shalat yang ketiga; Bahwasanya Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam ketika datang ke Madinah, beliau mengerjakan shalat menghadap ke Baitul Maqdis selama tiga belas bulan, lalu Allah Ta'ala menurunkan ayat ini (yang artinya), "Sungguh Kami (sering) melihat mukamu menengadah ke langit, maka sungguh Kami akan memalingkan kamu ke kiblat yang kamu sukai. Palingkanlah mukamu ke arah Masjidil Haram. Dan di mana saja kamu berada, palingkanlah mukamu ke arahnya." (Al-Baqarah: 144). Maka Allah Ta'ala memalingkan beliau shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam ke Ka'bah. Sampai di sini hadits riwayat Ibnu Al-Mutsanna. Nashr menyebutkan nama orang yang bermimpi, dia berkata; Maka datang Abdullah bin Zaid, seorang laki laki dari golongan Anshar, dalam haditsnya itu dia berkata; Maka laki laki itu menghadap kiblat seraya mengucapkan; Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Asyhadu an laa ilaaha illallah, Asyhadu an laa ilaaha illallaah, Asyhadu anna Muhammadar Rasuulullah, Asyhadu anna Muhammadar Rasuulullah, Hayya 'alas shalaah hayya 'alash shalaah, hayya 'alal falaah hayya 'alal falaah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaah. Setelah itu dia berhenti sebentar, lalu berdiri mengucapkan kalimat seperti sebelumnya, hanya saja dia menambahkan setelah mengucapkan; Hayya 'alal falaah, dengan ucapan; Qad Qamatis shalaah, qad qamatis shalaah. Mu'adz bin Jabal berkata; Maka Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam bersabda: "Ajarkanlah (kalimat adzan itu) kepada Bilal". Maka Bilal pun mengumandangkan adzan dengan kalimat kalimat itu. Kemudian Nasr bin Muhajir menyebutkan tentang perubahan-perubahan perintah puasa. Muadz bin Jabal berkata; Bahwasanya Rasulullah shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam biasa mengerjakan puasa tiga hari setiap bulan, dan pada hari Asyura', kemudian Allah Ta'ala menurunkan ayat (yang artinya): "Telah diwajibkan atas kalian berpuasa, sebagaimana telah diwajibkan atas orang orang sebelum kamu..., sampai dengan FirmanNya: (yaitu) memberi makan seorang miskin." (Al-Baqarah: 183 184). Karena itu siapa yang hendak berpuasa, silahkan berpuasa, dan siapa yang tidak mau berpuasa dan mau memberi makan seorang miskin setiap harinya, maka telah memadai baginya. Dan inilah salah satu keadaan puasa. Lalu Allah Ta'ala menurunkan ayat (yang artinya): "Bulan Ramadhan, bulan yang di dalamnya diturunkan (permulaan) Al Quran..., sampai FirmanNya: pada hari hari yang lain." (Al-Baqarah: 185). Maka berlakulah ketetapan hukum puasa itu wajib atas orang yang mendapatkan bulan Ramadhan, sedangkan orang yang sedang musafir, wajib mengqadla'nya. Dan ditetapkan pula hukum kewajiban memberi makan orang miskin bagi orang tua berusia lanjut dan orang yang lemah, yang tidak mampu lagi berpuasa. Dan datang pula Shirmah, sedangkan dia telah bekerja sehari penuh. Selanjutnya dia (Nashr) menyebutkan Hadits itu