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Doing it halal? Nine surprising Ramadan fatwas on sex while fasting

Published July 14th, 2015 - 08:56 GMT

Every year, religious shows during Ramadan are monitored closely by the media to catch the strangest fatwas about fasting.

This year the most bizarre fatwas were about sex, not only for a husband and wife but, after the US legalized same-sex marriage, for gay relationships as well.  

Daesh (ISIS) also had its share of fatwas, including restricting women’s appearance in public even if they’re covered in black from head to toe.

What do religious leaders have to say about sexual acts committed during the holy month? Here are some questions Muslims asked, and their answers. In Muslim terms, such 'answers' when asked of Islamic scholars are known as fatwas. So here are a freaky few for you to feast your hungry eyes on -- but take heed not to break your fast on these randy religious rulings!

Please note-- these legal or learned opinions are often subjective — as drawn on one scholar or authority's idiosyncratic reading and interpretation — far fetched and by and large dismissed as farce in the Muslim faithful world, so carry less clout than controversy on the ground. Let the following just serve as food for starved thought and light-hearted fun a la Agony Aunt column for Ramadan.

And remember, oh faithful readers, no sex before marriage or before iftar!

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In a religious lecture in Syria, a man asked: If a woman touched her husband’s penis, does it break her fast? The lecturer said no. The man then clarified the question and said not with her hand but with her mouth. The religious leader said as long as the penis is clean, it’s OK. (Shutterstock)

In a religious lecture in Syria, a man asked: If a woman touched her husband’s penis, does it break her fast? The lecturer said no. The man then clarified the question and said not with her hand but with her mouth. The religious leader said as long as the penis is clean, it’s OK. (Shutterstock)

In one of the shows, a man called to ask if masturbation breaks a fast. When the sheikh answered yes, the man got upset and said, “Then what should I do if I get horny?” (Shutterstock)

In one of the shows, a man called to ask if masturbation breaks a fast. When the sheikh answered yes, the man got upset and said, “Then what should I do if I get horny?” (Shutterstock)

After same-sex marriage was legalized in the US, some religious figures eased their stance on gay relationships. Instead they referred to homosexuality as a genetic disorder — very progressive. (AFP/File)

After same-sex marriage was legalized in the US, some religious figures eased their stance on gay relationships. Instead they referred to homosexuality as a genetic disorder — very progressive. (AFP/File)

In Morocco, Sheikh Abdulbary al-Zamzami said a man may continue sexual relations with his wife if the dawn prayer call surprised him during the act. (AFP/Nikolay Doychinov)

In Morocco, Sheikh Abdulbary al-Zamzami said a man may continue sexual relations with his wife if the dawn prayer call surprised him during the act. (AFP/Nikolay Doychinov)

Another fatwa for al-Zamzami: He said if a woman were forced to have sex by her husband — also known as rape — then this does not break her fast, since it was not done with the woman’s approval. (Shutterstock)

Another fatwa for al-Zamzami: He said if a woman were forced to have sex by her husband — also known as rape — then this does not break her fast, since it was not done with the woman’s approval. (Shutterstock)

Another fatwa from Morocco said being touched in public transportation does not break your fast. Muslims shouldn’t sweat it if they’re trapped on a crowded bus that gets cozy. (Shutterstock)

Another fatwa from Morocco said being touched in public transportation does not break your fast. Muslims shouldn’t sweat it if they’re trapped on a crowded bus that gets cozy. (Shutterstock)

Daesh (ISIS) issued a fatwa banning women from appearing in public during fasting hours to avoid vice. The fatwa also bans women from appearing in public after fasting hours unless she is accompanied with one of her male family members. (Shutterstock)

Daesh (ISIS) issued a fatwa banning women from appearing in public during fasting hours to avoid vice. The fatwa also bans women from appearing in public after fasting hours unless she is accompanied with one of her male family members. (Shutterstock)

A French kiss does not break your fast, according to some religious mentors, which caused a wave of objections by opposing opinions. (Shutterstock)

A French kiss does not break your fast, according to some religious mentors, which caused a wave of objections by opposing opinions. (Shutterstock)

Religious mentors had their disagreements on the use of “shattaf,” or bidet, after using the restroom. Some said it’s OK to use it while others said water going into your anus would break your fast. (Shutterstock)

Religious mentors had their disagreements on the use of “shattaf,” or bidet, after using the restroom. Some said it’s OK to use it while others said water going into your anus would break your fast. (Shutterstock)

In a religious lecture in Syria, a man asked: If a woman touched her husband’s penis, does it break her fast? The lecturer said no. The man then clarified the question and said not with her hand but with her mouth. The religious leader said as long as the penis is clean, it’s OK. (Shutterstock)
In one of the shows, a man called to ask if masturbation breaks a fast. When the sheikh answered yes, the man got upset and said, “Then what should I do if I get horny?” (Shutterstock)
After same-sex marriage was legalized in the US, some religious figures eased their stance on gay relationships. Instead they referred to homosexuality as a genetic disorder — very progressive. (AFP/File)
In Morocco, Sheikh Abdulbary al-Zamzami said a man may continue sexual relations with his wife if the dawn prayer call surprised him during the act. (AFP/Nikolay Doychinov)
Another fatwa for al-Zamzami: He said if a woman were forced to have sex by her husband — also known as rape — then this does not break her fast, since it was not done with the woman’s approval. (Shutterstock)
Another fatwa from Morocco said being touched in public transportation does not break your fast. Muslims shouldn’t sweat it if they’re trapped on a crowded bus that gets cozy. (Shutterstock)
Daesh (ISIS) issued a fatwa banning women from appearing in public during fasting hours to avoid vice. The fatwa also bans women from appearing in public after fasting hours unless she is accompanied with one of her male family members. (Shutterstock)
A French kiss does not break your fast, according to some religious mentors, which caused a wave of objections by opposing opinions. (Shutterstock)
Religious mentors had their disagreements on the use of “shattaf,” or bidet, after using the restroom. Some said it’s OK to use it while others said water going into your anus would break your fast. (Shutterstock)
In a religious lecture in Syria, a man asked: If a woman touched her husband’s penis, does it break her fast? The lecturer said no. The man then clarified the question and said not with her hand but with her mouth. The religious leader said as long as the penis is clean, it’s OK. (Shutterstock)
In a religious lecture in Syria, a man asked: If a woman touched her husband’s penis, does it break her fast? The lecturer said no. The man then clarified the question and said not with her hand but with her mouth. The religious leader said as long as the penis is clean, it’s OK. (Shutterstock)
In one of the shows, a man called to ask if masturbation breaks a fast. When the sheikh answered yes, the man got upset and said, “Then what should I do if I get horny?” (Shutterstock)
In one of the shows, a man called to ask if masturbation breaks a fast. When the sheikh answered yes, the man got upset and said, “Then what should I do if I get horny?” (Shutterstock)
After same-sex marriage was legalized in the US, some religious figures eased their stance on gay relationships. Instead they referred to homosexuality as a genetic disorder — very progressive. (AFP/File)
After same-sex marriage was legalized in the US, some religious figures eased their stance on gay relationships. Instead they referred to homosexuality as a genetic disorder — very progressive. (AFP/File)
In Morocco, Sheikh Abdulbary al-Zamzami said a man may continue sexual relations with his wife if the dawn prayer call surprised him during the act. (AFP/Nikolay Doychinov)
In Morocco, Sheikh Abdulbary al-Zamzami said a man may continue sexual relations with his wife if the dawn prayer call surprised him during the act. (AFP/Nikolay Doychinov)
Another fatwa for al-Zamzami: He said if a woman were forced to have sex by her husband — also known as rape — then this does not break her fast, since it was not done with the woman’s approval. (Shutterstock)
Another fatwa for al-Zamzami: He said if a woman were forced to have sex by her husband — also known as rape — then this does not break her fast, since it was not done with the woman’s approval. (Shutterstock)
Another fatwa from Morocco said being touched in public transportation does not break your fast. Muslims shouldn’t sweat it if they’re trapped on a crowded bus that gets cozy. (Shutterstock)
Another fatwa from Morocco said being touched in public transportation does not break your fast. Muslims shouldn’t sweat it if they’re trapped on a crowded bus that gets cozy. (Shutterstock)
Daesh (ISIS) issued a fatwa banning women from appearing in public during fasting hours to avoid vice. The fatwa also bans women from appearing in public after fasting hours unless she is accompanied with one of her male family members. (Shutterstock)
Daesh (ISIS) issued a fatwa banning women from appearing in public during fasting hours to avoid vice. The fatwa also bans women from appearing in public after fasting hours unless she is accompanied with one of her male family members. (Shutterstock)
A French kiss does not break your fast, according to some religious mentors, which caused a wave of objections by opposing opinions. (Shutterstock)
A French kiss does not break your fast, according to some religious mentors, which caused a wave of objections by opposing opinions. (Shutterstock)
Religious mentors had their disagreements on the use of “shattaf,” or bidet, after using the restroom. Some said it’s OK to use it while others said water going into your anus would break your fast. (Shutterstock)
Religious mentors had their disagreements on the use of “shattaf,” or bidet, after using the restroom. Some said it’s OK to use it while others said water going into your anus would break your fast. (Shutterstock)

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