Answered by Shaykh Sohail Hanif, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Two years ago in Ramadan I had a mini intercourse with my wife (We went through the motions of intercourse with our clothes on and no actual intercourse took place). My wife was going through Menstruation and was not fasting while I was fasting. Thereafter I ejaculated (As far as I remember I ejaculated but I am now having thoughts that it may only be pre-ejaculation fluid although I think it was ejaculation) and believed my fast was broken and as a result I think I ate some food later on. (I can not exactly remember if I did eat but my inner self tells me that I did eat)
Assalamu alaykum
One should be aware that to have intercourse with one’s wife whilst fasting is a grave sin. The sacred law has prescribed limits for husband-wife interactions whilst fasting. Please see the SunniPath archives for more information.
Ejaculation is quite distinct from releasing pre-ejaculate. One must look into one’s heart to recall what happened. If one did indeed ejaculate then one’s fast is broken but one does not require an expiation as it was not caused by real intercourse. One need only make up the fast. (Maraqi al-Falah)
In such a case one must still abstain from food for the rest of the day even though one’s fast is broken. If one did eat however, then one has already broken one’s fast and so no expiation is required.
However, if one did not ejaculate and then went on to eat food then one would indeed have to perform an expiation which would consist in fasting for 60 consecutive days.
The penalty for having intercourse or eating during an obligatory fast, namely fasting for 60 consecutive days, should make us aware of the seriousness of this crime and cause us to avoid anything that might make us fall into this.
One may intend with one’s makeup fasts to count for both an obligatory fast and a recommended fast for Shawwal and it will count for both.
May Allah protect and preserve us and help us to worship Him in the way that He has commanded.
Sohail Hanif