Ruling on touching wife’s private parts while fasting: void or not?

darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, 26 February 2026 | 09.00 WIB

Ramadan fasting is not just about holding back hunger and thirst. It is a madrassa of self-control—restraining lust, emotions, and everything that can reduce the value of worship. Because of this, questions regarding husband-wife interactions while fasting often arise, including: what is the law on touching or holding the wife’s genitals while fasting?

Touching or holding your wife’s genitals while fasting does not break the fastas long as it does not involve husband-wife relations (jima’) or cause semen to be released intentionally. However, this action the law is makruh.

Why is it makruh?

Because when fasting, a person is encouraged to abandon various forms of lust, even though basically these things are halal and do not break the fast. Fasting is not only about refraining from things that cancel things outwardly, but also about protecting oneself from things that can reduce one’s wisdom and perfection.

Preoccupation with touch, sight, or lustful stimulation is not in line with the spirit of fasting as a practice of self-control. Therefore, the law becomes makruh.

This is as stated in the following book Al-Hawasyil Al-Madaniyyah:

It is permissible for him to abandon desires that do not break the fast, such as enjoying what he hears, sees, touches, or smells, such as smelling basil, touching it, or looking at it, because these are luxuries that are not included in the wisdom of fasting, and they do not like them, for example going to the bathroom.

Meaning: “It is recommended for people who fast to abandon good (permissible) desires that do not break the fast, such as enjoying something that is heard, seen, touched, or smelled; such as smelling the fragrance of flowers, touching them, and looking at them. Because in them there is an element of pleasure (excess) that is not in accordance with the wisdom of fasting. (Al-Hawasyil Al-Madaniyyah, [Darul Fikr: Beirut]matter. 247)

Islam does not absolutely prohibit husband and wife intimacy during the day of Ramadan, as long as it does not break the fast. However, the Shari’a teaches manners and caution. Fasting is a spiritual practice to control lust, not just refraining from eating and drinking.

So, even though touching your wife’s genitals does not break the fast, it should be avoided so as not to fall into things that can cancel or reduce the value of worship.

The more capable a person is of protecting himself from suspicious and makruh things, the more perfect his fast will be.

May Allah SWT give us taufik to protect our body and soul when fasting.

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.