It is narrated that; one of the prophet's companions who was weak in body, named MOTAM-IBN-JOBAIR, used to fast all the days in Ramazan. Once, very tired of his daily work he went home and lay on a resting position, waiting for his wife to prepare some food for breaking their fasts. He fell asleep for a while and when his wife woke him up to break his fast, he refused to do so, for knowing it unlawful. So he continued with the fast. Next day, for the battle of Moat, he joined Muslims in digging the trench. He worked hard in the moat, and at once he fainted and fell down. The prophet saw his fainting, he grieved and felt sorrow in his heart. On the other hand, as we mentioned above, some of the young Muslims could not control themselves to avoid sexual affairs during the whole month of Ramazan. Owing to these facts, the above verse came down and made things much easier, saying:

      ``It is made lawful to you, on the night of the fast to approach your wives and have sexual intercourse with them. They are your garments and you are their garments.''

      Men and women are each other's garment for mutual support and comfort. A garment is to protect them from cold and warm, and prevent accidents with other things. The garment is also used for concealment, because the question of sex is always delicate to handle. The garment is also an ornament which adds to beauty.

      Then the cause of the revelation is pointed at, in the verse saying: ``Allah knew that you were betraying yourselves by doing secretly that which was unlawful.'' So in order to prevent you from being more defiled with sin, Allah turned to you in mercy, and forgave you.

      In this verse, the sex instinct is classified with eating and drinking, which are prohibited during the fast day; but permitted after the fast is broken at night, till the next fast begins. The verse continues: ``So, now you associate with your wives, and seek what Allah has ordained for you - Eat and drink until the white thread of down appears to you distinct from its black thread. Then complete the fast till the night - i.e. till the sunset.''

      The fourth, and the last commandment in this verse is: ``And do not approach your wives, while you are in `RETREAT' in the mosques.''

      This is an exception to the general commandment and the whole of the regulations about fasts. Retreat to the mosques is recommended in which all the carnal temptations have to be avoided. As the least length of time marked off for the RETREAT is three days, the above commandment for approaching women in the nights does not read and is naturally violated.