Ramadan is the holiest month given by Allah to all Muslims, dedicated to fasting, prayer, and seeking forgiveness. One should focus on doing good deeds during this sacred month and avoid committing any sins, whether minor or major.However, many people frequently ask: What happens if they commit a sin while fasting? Does committing a sin break or nullify their fast? Another common question is whether sins are also multiplied 70 times in Ramadan, just as good deeds are.This article addresses these questions with authentic hadith references and offers a detailed insight into the impact of sins on fasting.
Does Committing Sin Break Fast ?
As humans, we are naturally susceptible to making mistakes, but Islam teaches us to seek forgiveness and strive for self-improvement. While sins are forbidden at all times, committing them during the sacred month of Ramadan is especially discouraged and considered more serious. This is because Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink; its true purpose is to purify the soul, refrain from sins, and increase good deeds to strengthen our connection with Allah.
If a person commits a sin—except for engaging in sexual intercourse, eating, or drinking—while fasting, it will not nullify the fast, but it will diminish its spiritual essence and reduce its reward.
Does Sin Also Multiply 70 Times Like Good Deeds?
Many people ask whether sins are also multiplied 70 times in Ramadan, just as good deeds are. The answer is no—there is no authentic evidence from any hadith or Sunnah to support this claim. However, since Ramadan is a sacred month, committing sins may carry greater consequences, but not necessarily 70 times more, like good deeds. Regardless of whether sins are multiplied or not, we should strive to avoid them—not only in Ramadan but on normal days as well.
Things That Break the Fast Completely
Things which completely nullify your fast are ;
- Intentional Eating or Drinking
If you intentionally eat or drink something while fasting, your fast becomes nullified, and you must make up for it later.
- Intentional Sexual Intercourse
Sexual intercourse during fasting is strictly prohibited in Islam.If someone engages in sexual intercourse or masturbates while fasting, their fast will be invalidated.
- Intentional Vomiting
Involuntary vomiting does not break the fast. However, if someone deliberately induces vomiting, their fast will be broken, and they must make it up later.
- Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding
For females, if they experience menstruation or postnatal bleeding during fasting hours, their fast becomes invalid. They must break their fast and make it up later after Ramadan.
What Should We Do if We Commit Sin During Ramadan?
Whenever we commit a sin, whether in Ramadan or any other time, we should sincerely turn to Allah in repentance and seek His forgiveness. We must never lose hope in His mercy, for He is the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful. He is Ar-Rahman (The Most Gracious) and Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful), Al-Ghaffar (The Constant Forgiver), and Al-Ghafoor (The Great Forgiver). Allah loves to forgive and welcomes those who seek His pardon. As Allah said;
“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful (The Qu’ran 39:53)”
Conclusion
Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink; it is about attaining spiritual peace and purification by avoiding sins throughout the day for the sake of pleasing Allah Almighty.
Whether it is Ramadan or not, committing sins is strictly prohibited in Islam. Everyone should strive to stay away from all kinds of sins, especially during Ramadan, to fully benefit from its spiritual rewards and draw closer to Allah’s mercy and blessings.
However, if someone commits a sin while fasting, they should sincerely turn to Allah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for He loves to forgive those who sincerely ask for it.