Observe permissible relations and limits during Ramadan nights

Verse: 2:187
Arabic Text

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَائِكُمْ ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ ۖ فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ ۚ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ ۗ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

Translation

It has been made permissible for you on the night of fasting to approach your wives. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread of night. Then complete the fast until sunset. And do not have relations with them while you are in iʿtikāf in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them.

Description

During Ramadan nights, you're allowed to be close with your spouse and can eat until dawn appears, but remember not to overstep the boundaries set by Allah.

Detailed Explanation

During Ramadan, Allah has made it permissible for you to be with your spouse during the nights of fasting. This was a change from earlier practices when some thought they could not be close even at night. Allah knows that people found this hard and sometimes didn't follow it correctly, so with kindness, He accepted their repentance and allowed this change. It's like Allah has provided clothing for mutual comfort, showing that husbands and wives cherish and protect each other. Eating and drinking until dawn becomes clear is an important aspect of observing your fast. Dawn is described in the verse as the moment when the white light of morning becomes distinct from the darkness of night. This helps set a clear time when you should stop eating and drinking to begin your fast, which lasts until sunset. The concept of Iʿtikāf is touched upon here as well; it's a time of devotion and seclusion in the mosque, where having relations is not permissible. This rule highlights both mercy and discipline: giving comfort but setting clear boundaries. Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that this was a compassionate ruling to correct previous misconceptions and hardships. It teaches that while engaging in physical needs, maintaining spiritual awareness is crucial. Respect these limits because they help you grow closer to Allah by following His guidance during this special month.