Can a husband and wife kiss or be affectionate while fasting?

Yes — kissing and non-penetrative affection are permitted while fasting, provided one is confident of controlling himself. 'A'ishah رضي الله عنها said: "The Prophet ﷺ used to kiss and embrace while he was fasting, and he was the most able of you to control his desire." Scholars therefore rule it permissible for the one who is sure of himself and disliked for the one who fears it will lead to intercourse or ejaculation; the young and easily aroused are told to keep away from it. If it leads to ejaculation, the day's fast is invalidated and must be made up, and the majority hold there is no kaffarah, since the expiation is tied to actual intercourse. As for madhy (pre-seminal fluid) alone, the Hanafis and Shafi'is hold it does not break the fast, while the Malikis and Hanbalis hold that it does when it results from deliberate kissing or touching — so caution is better. Full intercourse during a day of Ramadan is a separate and far more serious matter, with its own expiation.

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