Touching your wife's breast during a fast is generally considered to break the fast, unless it's accidental. The permissibility hinges heavily on intent and the potential for arousal leading to sexual activity.
Understanding the Nuances of Touching During Fasting
Islamic jurisprudence on fasting (sawm) strictly prohibits sexual activity during daylight hours in Ramadan. The various references highlight different interpretations of what constitutes a violation:
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Intentional Touching: Intentionally touching your wife's breasts or other intimate areas with the purpose of sexual arousal is considered a violation of the fast. This is because it can lead to sexual acts which are forbidden during fasting. Sources like IslamQA and Islamweb clearly state that any act leading to sexual arousal breaks the fast.
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Accidental Touching: Accidental or unintentional touching, without sexual intent, is generally considered permissible. The key here is the absence of deliberate arousal or sexual stimulation. A Quora response https://www.quora.com/Can-I-touch-my-wife-buttocks-or-breast-without-intention-of-sex-during-the-day-while-fasting-in-the-month-of-Ramadan states that accidental touching is acceptable.
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Potential for Arousal: Even if the initial touch is unintentional, if it leads to arousal and further sexual acts, it breaks the fast. This is because the primary objective of fasting is to abstain from all forms of physical and sexual gratification. IslamQA stresses the importance of avoiding actions that could lead to forbidden acts.
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Context Matters: The interpretation varies depending on the specific context. A simple, affectionate touch may be permissible, whereas deliberate fondling is not. The emphasis is always on avoiding any action that stimulates sexual desire.
Therefore, a simple answer to the question is nuanced; accidental touching is likely acceptable, while intentional touching with sexual intent is not.
