Committing Zina in Ramadan: Islamic Punishments and Steps for Repentance
Hello, dear readers! Are you seeking an explanation about committing Zina in Ramadan? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, we must understand this topic. That's the reason I wrote this article, and I encourage you to read it until the end!
Specifically, I will discuss some important points of committing Zina in Ramadan, and they are as follows:
The Dangers of Committing Sin During Ramadan
The first and most important point I want to address about committing Zina during Ramadan is the severe danger of committing any sin during this sacred month. I want you to grasp this concept before diving deeper into the rest of the article. Why? Because it is a fundamental aspect of this discussion that must be clearly understood.
In general, committing sin during Ramadan is extremely dangerous. The point is that the sin is magnified. For instance, if a person commits a sin in any other month, he earns one sin. However, if the same sin is committed during Ramadan, it results in multiple sins.
We find an explanation about the danger of committing sins during Ramadan in the following hadith:
قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ أُمَّتِيْ لَمْ يَخِزُّوْا مَا أَقَامُوْا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ . قِيْلَ يَا رَسُوْلَ الله وَمَا خَزِيُهُمْ فِي إِضَاعَةِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ ؟ قَالَ : اِنْتِهَاكُ الْمَحَارِمِ فِيْهِ مِنْ زِنَا فِيْهِ أَوْ شَرِبَ فِيْهِ خَمْرًا لَعَنَهُ اللهُ وَمَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ إِلَى مِثْلِهِ مِنَ الْحَوْلِ فَإِنْ مَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَهُ رَمَضَانُ لَمْ تَبْقَى لَهُ عِنْدَ اللهِ حَسَنَةٌ يَتَّقِي بِهَا النَّارَ فَاتَّقُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَإِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ تُضَاعَفُ فِيْهِ مَا لَا تُضَاعَفُ فِيْمَا سِوَاهُ وَكَذَلِكَ السَّيِّئَاتُ
Allah’s Messenger (Prophet Muhammad), peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Indeed, my ummah will not be disgraced as long as they establish the month of Ramadan.” The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah, what is their disgrace in failing during the month of Ramadan?" He replied, “It is the violation of what is forbidden during Ramadan, such as committing zina or drinking khamr. Allah and the angels curse such a person until the following year. If he dies before the next Ramadan, he will have no good deeds left with Allah that could protect him from the Fire. So be mindful of the month of Ramadan, for good deeds are multiplied in it in a way that they are not multiplied in other months. Likewise, evil deeds are also multiplied.”
This hadith clearly explains that all good deeds and sins are multiplied during the month of Ramadan.
You might now be wondering, why are both good deeds and sins magnified during Ramadan?
Actually, there are many reasons. The most common reason is that Ramadan is a very noble month in Islam. During this time, Muslims are required to fast. The Quran was revealed in this month. Ramadan also contains Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree. Of course, I won’t go into all of that here.
In conclusion, committing sins during Ramadan is particularly dangerous because the sins are multiplied.
That was a brief explanation of the dangers of committing sin during Ramadan. As Muslims, it is crucial for us to understand this.
Zina During Fasting in Ramadan
The important point I want to explain about committing zina during Ramadan is specifically about zina while fasting in Ramadan. I will highlight the gravity of zina, which is further magnified if it is committed during this sacred month.
Zina refers to the act of inserting the tip of the penis into the vagina of a woman who is not a lawful wife according to Islamic law. Therefore, if a man and woman who are not husband and wife according to Islam engage in such an act, it is considered zina.
Zina is one of the major sins in Islam. It is strictly forbidden, and Muslims are warned against it. We find this clear instruction in the following Quranic verse:
وَلا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلاً
"And do not approach zina. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way." (Al-Isra 17:32)
So, in general, zina is a very sinful act.
As I mentioned earlier, if a sinful act is committed during Ramadan, the sin is multiplied. The "ugliness" referred to here encompasses all actions prohibited in Islam, such as theft, drunkenness, murder, lying, and zina.
Zina is not just a bad deed, but a particularly grievous one. Therefore, if it is committed during Ramadan, its gravity is doubled. Simply put, we can say that zina during Ramadan is extremely sinful. No Muslim would deny that.
This is a brief explanation of zina while fasting in Ramadan. As Muslims, we must fully understand this.
What is the Punishment for Zina in Ramadan?
The important point I will explain now about committing zina in Ramadan is: "What is the punishment for zina in Ramadan?" Specifically, I will explain this according to Islamic law.
In general, if we read various Islamic legal texts on the punishment for zina in Ramadan, we do not find any difference between the punishment for zina in ordinary months and the punishment for zina in Ramadan. In previous discussions, it was explained that zina in Ramadan carries very serious consequences. However, we must understand that this does not affect the formal punishment a Muslim would receive. The severe consequences are related to spiritual or moral effects, not formal legal punishments, as outlined in Islamic legal texts.
In Islam, there are two types of zina: zina before marriage and zina after marriage, each with its own legal consequences.
Punishment for Zina Before Marriage in Ramadan
Now, I will explain the punishment for zina before marriage in Ramadan. As we understand, zina before marriage refers to sexual activity between a man and a woman who have never been married. In Islamic legal texts, zina before marriage is known as الزِّنَا غَيْرُ الْمُحْصَنِ.
The punishment for those who commit zina before marriage is one hundred lashes and exile for one year. We find this explanation in both the Quran and Hadith, as seen in the following:
الزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّانِي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُمْ بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
"The woman who commits zina and the man who commits zina, lash each of them one hundred times, and do not be lenient in applying the law of Allah if you believe in Allah and the Last Day, and let a group of the believers witness their punishment." (An-Nur 24:2)
وَقَدْ رَوَى الْبُخَارِيُّ مِنْ حَدِيْثِ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَضَى فِيْمَنْ زَنَى وَلَمْ يُحْصَنْ بِنَفْيِ عَامٍ وَبِإِقَامَةِ الْحَدِّ
Al-Bukhari narrates from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) made a legal decision for those who committed zina before marriage by exiling them for a year and carrying out the prescribed punishment.
One crucial thing we must understand is that this punishment can only be implemented in areas or countries that enforce Islamic law. Thus, it cannot be carried out in regions or countries that do not apply Islamic law comprehensively, as it was enforced during the time of Prophet Muhammad and some periods thereafter.
This is the punishment for zina before marriage in Ramadan according to Islamic law. As Muslims, we must understand this.
Punishment for Zina After Marriage in Ramadan
Now I will explain the punishment for zina after marriage in Ramadan. As we understand, zina after marriage refers to sexual activity between a married man or woman and someone who is not their spouse. In Islamic legal terminology, zina after marriage is called الزِّنَا الْمُحْصَنُ.
The punishment for those who commit zina after marriage in Ramadan is stoning until death. This is explained in the following hadith:
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : أَتَى رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَنَادَاهُ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنِّي زَنَيْتُ ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ، فَتَنَحَّى تِلْقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنِّي زَنَيْتُ ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ، حَتَّى ثَنَّى ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ مَرَّاتٍ ، فَلَمَّا شَهِدَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ دَعَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ : أَبِكَ جُنُونٌ ؟ قَالَ : لَا ، قَالَ : فَهَلْ أَحْصَنْتَ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اذْهَبُوا بِهِ فَارْجُمُوهُ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said, "A man from among the Muslims came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while he was in the mosque and called out, 'O Messenger of Allah, I have committed zina.' The Prophet turned away from him. The man repeated, 'O Messenger of Allah, I have committed zina.' The Prophet continued to turn away from him, and this occurred four times. After the man had testified against himself four times, the Messenger of Allah called him and asked, 'Are you insane?' The man replied, 'No.' The Prophet then asked, 'Are you married?' The man replied, 'Yes.' The Messenger of Allah then said, 'Take him and stone him.'" This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
One important point to understand is that the punishment of stoning for those who have committed zina after marriage can only be carried out in regions or countries that implement Islamic law. Thus, this punishment cannot be applied in places where Islamic law is not fully enforced. By Islamic law, I mean the complete system as it was during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Islamic period.
This is the punishment for zina after marriage in Ramadan according to Islamic law. As Muslims, we must understand this.
What Happens If You Commit Zina in Ramadan?
The important point about committing zina in Ramadan that I will explain now is: "What happens if you commit zina in Ramadan?" I want you to understand that it’s not only about the formal punishment for zina, but also the informal consequences. In other words, I will now explain all the repercussions that Muslims who commit zina in Ramadan will face.
In general, there are two main consequences for Muslims who commit zina in Ramadan:
- Muslims who commit zina in Ramadan will face formal punishment as prescribed in Islamic legal rulings.
- If a Muslim commits zina before marriage in Ramadan, they must be lashed up to a hundred times and exiled.
However, if they commit zina after marriage in Ramadan, they must be stoned to death.
A Muslim who commits zina in Ramadan will lose all their good deeds and will be cursed by Allah and the angels for one year.
This is a brief explanation of "What happens if you commit zina in Ramadan?" As Muslims, we must understand this.
Will Allah Forgive Me for Zina in Ramadan?
The important question now is: "Will Allah forgive me for zina in Ramadan?" I want you to understand this so that you know whether you can repent and be forgiven for this sin if you commit zina in Ramadan.
One key thing to always remember is that Allah will forgive all sins if the sinner repents sincerely. Zina in Ramadan is one of those sins. Therefore, the conclusion is that Allah will forgive you for zina in Ramadan if you truly repent.
There are verses in the Qur'an and hadiths that explain this. Pay attention to the explanation below!
Quran About Forgiveness for Zina in Ramadan
Regarding the Qur'anic verses about forgiveness for zina in Ramadan, what I mean is as follows:
ٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
"Know that Allah is severe in punishment, and that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Al-Ma'idah [5]: 98)
ثُمَّ أَفِيضُواْ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ أَفَاضَ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
"Then hasten on from where the people hasten on and ask forgiveness from Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Al-Baqarah [2]: 199)
فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا
"So I said (to them), 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; indeed, He is the Most Forgiving.'" (Nuh [71]: 10)
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلَٰلَۢا بَعِيدًا
"Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills; and whoever associates anything with Allah has indeed gone far astray." (An-Nisa' [4]: 116)
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰٓ إِثۡمًا عَظِيمًا
"Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills; and whoever associates anything with Allah has certainly committed a grave sin." (An-Nisa' [4]: 48)
Hadith About Forgiveness for Zina in Ramadan
As for the hadith about forgiveness for zina in Ramadan, what I mean is as follows:
وَرَوَى التِّرْمِذِيُّ عَنْ أَنَسٍ عَنْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : يَقُوْلُ اللهُ تَعَالَى ياَ ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوْبُكَ عَنَانَ السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَنِيْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ
At-Tirmidhi narrated from Anas, from the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad), sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. He said, "Allah Ta'ala said: O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky, then you ask for My forgiveness (through Istighfar), I will forgive you."
رَوَى الْبَيْهَقِيُّ وَالْأَصْبَهَانِيُّ وَابْنُ أَبِيْ الدُّنْيَا عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ وَلَا أُمَّةٍ اِسْتَغْفَرَ اللهَ فِيْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِيْنَ مَرَّةً لَمْ يُكْتَبْ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِيْنَ , وَمَنْ اِسْتَغْفَرَ اللهَ فِيْ كُلِّ اللَّيْلَةِ سَبْعِيْنَ مَرَّةً لَمْ يُكْتَبْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِيْنَ
Al-Baihaqi, al-Asbahani, and Ibn Abi ad-Dunya narrated from Anas that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "There is no servant or person who asks Allah for forgiveness (reciting Istighfar) seventy times every day except that they will not be recorded among the liars. And whoever asks Allah for forgiveness (reciting Istighfar) seventy times every night will not be recorded among those who are heedless."
وَرَوَى أَحْمَدُ وَالْحَاكِمُ : قَالَ إِبْلِيْسُ وَعِزَّتِكَ لَاأَزَالُ أُغْوِيْ عِبَادَكَ مَا دَامَتْ أَرْوَاحُهُمْ فِيْ أَجْسَادِهِمْ . فَقَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ : وَعِزَّتِيْ وَجَلَالِيْ لَاأَزَالُ أَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَغْفَرُوْانِيْ
Ahmad and al-Hakim reported: "Iblis (Satan) said, 'By Your glory, I will continue to mislead Your servants as long as their souls are in their bodies.' Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, responded, 'By My glory and majesty, I will continue to forgive them as long as they seek My forgiveness (through Istighfar).'"
That's a brief explanation of "Will Allah forgive you for zina in Ramadan?" As Muslims, we must understand this.
How to Repent for Zina in Ramadan?
The important thing about committing zina in Ramadan, which I will explain now, is "How to repent for zina in Ramadan?" Specifically, I will explain what must be done if a Muslim has committed zina during Ramadan and seeks to repent.
In general, there is no difference between repenting for zina in Ramadan and repenting for zina in other months. Repentance requires sincerity and commitment so that Allah may forgive the sins that have been committed.
Here are some key steps that must be taken to repent for zina in Ramadan:
- Realize that zina is a major sin.
- Stop engaging in zina.
- Sincerely regret having committed zina.
- Vow never to commit zina again.
- Perform the prayer of repentance (Salat at-Tawbah).
- Frequently recite istighfar (seeking forgiveness).
- Frequently recite salawat (sending blessings upon the Prophet).
In previous articles, I have already discussed these points in detail. I will not go over them again here.
That’s a brief explanation of "How to repent for zina in Ramadan." As Muslims, we must understand this.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the act of committing zina during Ramadan is a grave sin that bears significant spiritual consequences. As outlined, the severity of sins is magnified during this sacred month, where every transgression is recorded with greater weight. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the critical nature of avoiding such sins during Ramadan, underscoring the idea that engaging in forbidden acts not only invites divine wrath but also leads to the loss of accumulated good deeds. While the formal punishments for zina, whether before or after marriage, remain consistent, the spiritual repercussions are notably more profound during this holy time. However, it is crucial to remember that Allah’s mercy is vast, and sincere repentance can lead to forgiveness, even for grave sins like zina. This understanding encourages Muslims to strive for righteousness and seek forgiveness during Ramadan, reinforcing the importance of spiritual discipline in this blessed month.
I believe that's enough for this article. I hope it is beneficial. Ameen.
See you again in the next article!
Thanks to Akhmad Syafiuddin.