A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: I am undone. He asked him: What has happened to you ? He said: I had intercourse with my wife in Ramadan (while I was fasting). He asked: Can you set a slave free ? He said: No. He again asked: Can you fast for two consecutive months ? He said: No. He asked: Can you provide food for sixty poor people ? He said: No. He said: Sit down. Then a huge basket containing dates ('araq) was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ). He then said to him: Give it as sadaqah (i.e. alms). He said: Messenger of Allah, there is no poorer family than mine between the two lave plains of it (Medina). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) laughed so that his eye-teeth became visible, and said: Give it to your family to eat. Musaddad said in another place: "his canine teeth".
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2390 in the Book of Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam) describes a man who unintentionally broke his Ramadan fast through marital relations and sought expiation from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that this hadith establishes the kaffarah (expiation) for intentionally breaking the Ramadan fast through sexual intercourse. The prescribed sequence is: freeing a slave, fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people.
The Prophet's initial questions established the man's inability to perform the first three levels of expiation. The final provision of dates demonstrates the principle of facilitating religious obligations according to one's capability.
Legal Rulings Derived
Classical scholars determined this expiation applies only to intentional sexual intercourse during fasting hours in Ramadan, not to eating or drinking.
The sequential nature of the expiation options indicates preference but allows for moving to the next option when unable to perform the previous one.
The Prophet's laughter and final ruling demonstrate Islamic mercy - when unable to feed others, one may feed one's own family if they are among the needy.
Spiritual Lessons
This incident illustrates the balance between maintaining religious obligations and showing compassion toward human weakness.
The man's immediate confession reflects proper Islamic conduct - acknowledging mistakes and seeking rectification rather than concealment.
The Prophet's gentle handling of the situation teaches leaders to address religious violations with wisdom and consideration of individual circumstances.