A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "I am ruined!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "What is the matter with you?" He said, "I had sexual relation with my wife (while I was fasting) in Ramadan." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Have you got enough to manumit a slave?" He said, "No." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Can you fast for two successive months?" The man said, "No." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Can you feed sixty poor persons?" The man said, "No." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, "Sit down," and he sat down. Afterwards an 'Irq, i.e., a big basket containing dates was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, "Take this and give it in charity." The man said, "To poorer people than we?" On that, the Prophet (ﷺ) smiled till his premolar teeth became visible, and then told him, "Feed your family with it." (See Hadith No. 157, Vol 3)
Expiation for Unfulfilled Oaths - Sahih al-Bukhari 6709
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the Prophet's profound wisdom in guiding a distressed companion who violated his Ramadan fast through marital relations. The incident reveals the graduated approach to expiation (kaffārah) prescribed in Islamic law.
Scholarly Commentary
The man's exclamation "I am ruined!" reflects his deep spiritual anxiety and fear of divine punishment, illustrating the companions' heightened consciousness of Allah's commands.
The Prophet's sequential offering of expiation options - freeing a slave, fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people - follows the Quranic prescription in Surah Al-Mujadilah and demonstrates the principle of facilitating ease within religious obligations.
The Prophet's instruction to "sit down" when the man couldn't fulfill any expiation shows divine mercy awaiting provision. The arrival of dates represents Allah's timely provision for those sincerely repentant.
The man's question "To poorer people than we?" reveals his own poverty, while the Prophet's smile and final instruction to feed his family demonstrates the principle that charity begins at home and that Allah accepts what is within one's capacity.
Legal Rulings Derived
Intentionally breaking the Ramadan fast through marital relations requires expiation, with the prescribed order being: freeing a slave, fasting two months consecutively, or feeding sixty poor people.
The inability to perform expiation does not permanently condemn the sinner; divine mercy provides alternatives when one is genuinely incapable.
Providing for one's family can serve as valid charity when they are among the needy, establishing the priority of close relatives in charitable giving.