Going to your wives during the nights of the fast is made lawful for you ; they are coverings for you and you are coverings for them ; Allah knows that you were deceiving yourselves ( in this respect ) , so He accepted your penance and forgave you ; so cohabit with them and seek what Allah has destined for you – and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread at dawn – then complete the fast till nightfall ; and do not touch women while staying in seclusion for worship in the mosques ; these are the limits imposed by Allah , so do not go near them ; this is how Allah explains His verses to mankind so that they may attain piety .