Q: I was greatly disturbed and worried after hearing an episode of the program Nur `Ala Al-Darb by Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzan. He mentioned that it is not permissible to break your Sawm (Fast) during an obligatory Sawm. But he did not elaborate on this point. I would like to know more about this as I was in complete negligence of this matter. In brief, my wife was making up for a day of Sawm she missed during Ramadan in 1407 A.H. I knew that she was making up for Sawm she missed. In the morning of that day, I had sexual intercourse with her. I knew that a person who is observing Sawm voluntarily is free either to complete his Sawm or to break it. Moreover, he is not required, in this case, to offer expiation. (Part No. 10; Page No. 352) I thought that it is permissible for her to break her Sawm on that day as she is free to observe it at any other time just as a person who fasts voluntarily.I and my wife have been worried since hearing the program mentioned above. We fear that the expiation may be more severe upon us or upon one of us. Moreover, I was not observing Sawm on that day.I would like you to point out this matter for us. What should we do?

A: Making up for days of Sawm you missed during the month of Ramadan is an obligation. If a person begins Sawm for these days, then they have to complete their Sawm. They are not permitted to break their Sawm except for a legal excuse. A woman's husband is not allowed to compel her to break her Sawm. He is also not allowed to have sexual intercourse with her during this time. She is also not required to obey him in this regard.If you had sexual intercourse with your wife during the day when she was making up for a day of Sawm she missed during Ramadan, then you have to repent to Allah from that sin. You are not required to offer an expiation for this matter. Expiation is obligatory only upon those who had sexual intercourse during the month of Ramadan because of the sacredness of that time. Therefore, your wife has to make up for that day. A person is not required to expiate for breaking their Sawm on a day when they are making up for a day that they missed during the month of Ramadan. (Part No. 10; Page No. 353) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.