Q 1: Over the past twenty years, I incorrectly believed that a person observing Sawm (Fast) in Ramadan was only forbidden to ejaculate while having intercourse with his wife during the daytime, but that there was nothing wrong with intercourse itself. Therefore, and because of my ignorance of the ruling of Shari`ah (Islamic law), I used to have complete sexual intercourse with my wife, (Part No. 20; Page No. 319) but avoided vaginal ejaculation.Q 2: Eighteen years ago, I had sexual intercourse with her after the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer while I was fasting in Ramadan. I intended to observe Sawm as a Kaffarah (expiation) for that sin, but I had been too busy to do this. What should I do now?Q 3: two years ago, I declared my wife unlawful for me as my mother, then I had intercourse with her. I intended to feed sixty Miskins (needy persons) at a later time, but I had not fed any one until now. Moreover, two months ago, I did the same thing again, saying, "Her company is unlawful for me," meaning having intercourse with her and fulfilling my duties towards her as a husband. However, I had not meant to stop providing her with the Nafaqah (obligatory financial support) due to her. I had deserted her in bed up to the present day.Now my wife is filled with regret and asks me to return to her. She is offering to pay the Kaffarah required by feeding sixty Miskins. She sees that Sawm will keep her away from me for a long time, while she is impatient. Is it permissible for her to offer the Kaffarah on my behalf for the first and second times I declared her as unlawful for me or should I offer the Kaffarah myself?Please answer my questions. May Allah guide you. Please bear the following in mind: 1. I am married to three wives and support thirty-five dependents. Observing Sawm is very hard, and I prefer to feed the Miskins, if permissible. (Part No. 20; Page No. 320) 2. My wife finds it difficult to wait for me if I should observe Sawm.May Allah guide you.

A: Having considered your three questions, it is clear that you have to offer three Kaffarahs. The first Kaffarah is for having vaginal intercourse without ejaculation in Ramadan. You must offer Kaffarah for every day on which you had sexual intercourse. Another Kaffarah is due for having intercourse along with ejaculation in Ramadan. A third Kaffarah is due for Zhihar (a man likening his wife to an unmarriageable relative). The Kaffarah of Zhihar is to emancipate a believing slave. If you cannot find any, you are required to observe Sawm for two consecutive months. In case you are unable to do so, you should feed sixty Miskins; each should be given 1.5 kg of food. You must not approach your wife until you offer the Kaffarah for Zhihar. In addition to offering Kaffarah, you have to make up for the days on which you had sexual intercourse and feed a Miskin for each day as a Kaffarah for being delayed in offering it. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.