Ransom (Al-Fidyah):
Mu`aadh ibn Jabal (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “As regards to the stages of fasting – the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) came to Al-Madeenah and fasted three days from every month, and the fast of `Aashooraa’. Then Allaah obligated fasting and sent down (the Verse):
“…Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwaa.” Then Allaah sent down the other Verse:
“The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur’aan…” So Allaah obligated fasting upon the healthy resident, and gave leave to the sick and the traveller, and He obligated feeding [a poor person] upon the old man unable to fast – so these are the two stages…”
Authenticated by Al-Haakim (Al-Mustadrak, 3085), and Adh-Dhahabee agreed, Al-Albaanee (Sunan Abi Daawood, 507) and others.
Mujaahid narrated from Ibn `Abbaas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) that he recited the Verse: “And as for those who can fast (with difficulty) they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day),” [2:184] and said:
“It is the old man who is unable to fast so he refrains from fasting and instead feeds a poor person with half a Saa` of wheat.”
This hadeeth has preceded in the chapter “Concessions.”
Ibn `Abbaas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) said: “Allowance was made for the old man and the old woman who were able to fast that they could fast if they wished, or instead feed a poor person for every day and they did not have to make up the days – then that was abrogated in this Verse:
“So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan), he must fast that month.” [2:185] And that was affirmed for the old man and the old woman who were unable to fast, and the pregnant and the breastfeeding who feared, that they should refrain from fasting and feed a poor person for each day.”
This hadeeth has also preceded in the chapter “Concessions.”
Anas ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu `anhu) narrated that one year he became too weak to fast so he prepared a large dish of Thareed and invited thirty poor people who came and ate their fill.
This hadeeth has also preceded in the chapter “Concessions.”
Ash-Shaafi`ee narrated from Maalik and he from Naafi` that ‘Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) was asked about a pregnant woman who feared for her child so he said:
“She should refrain from fasting and should feed a Madd* of wheat to a poor person in place of every day.”’
*A Madd is the quantity held by the two outstretched hands of an average person.
(Musnad-ush-Shaafi`ee, 1053; Al-Muwatta, 688). The above isnaad (chain of narrators) is one of the most authentic isnaads, known as “the golden chain”. (C.f. Tadreeb-ur-Raawee, 1/100-101, 102-103, 110).
Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) said: “The pregnant woman and the breastfeeding woman should break the fast and not make up the days.”
Authenticated by Ad-Daaraqutnee (2/435).
Naafi` narrated that the wife of Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) who was pregnant asked him so he said:
“Refrain from fasting but feed a poor person for every day and do not make up the fasts.”’
Authenticated by Al-Hilaalee (Sifat-us-Saum, chapter 18) and Al-Halabee (Ibid).
Sa`eed ibn Jubayr narrated that Ibn `Abbaas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) said to the mother of a child of his, who was pregnant or breastfeeding:
“You are one of those who are unable, upon you is recompense and there is no atonement (qadaa’) due upon you.”
Authenticated by Ad-Daaraqutnee (As-Sunan, 2/435).
