I sat with Kaʿb bin 'Ujra and asked him about the Fidya. He replied, "This revelation was revealed concerning my case especially, but it is also for you in general. I was carried to Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the lice were falling in great number on my face. The Prophet ﷺ said, "I have never thought that your ailment (or struggle) has reached to such an extent as I see. Can you afford a sheep?" I replied in the negative. He then said, "Fast for three days, or feed six poor persons each with half a Sa of food." (1 Sa = 3 Kilograms approx.)  

نَزَلَتْ فِيَّ خَاصَّةً وَهْىَ لَكُمْ عَامَّةً حُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ أُرَى الْوَجَعَ بَلَغَ بِكَ مَا أَرَى أَوْ مَا كُنْتُ أُرَى الْجَهْدَ بَلَغَ بِكَ مَا أَرَى تَجِدُ شَاةً فَقُلْتُ لاَ فَقَالَ فَصُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفَ صَاعٍ  

I sat with Kaʿb bin Ujra in this mosque, i.e. Kufa Mosque, and asked him about the meaning of: "Pay a ransom (i.e. Fidya) of either fasting or . . . . (2.196)" He said, "I was taken to the Prophet ﷺ while lice were falling on my face. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'I did not think that your trouble reached to such an extent. Can you afford to slaughter a sheep (as a ransom for shaving your head)?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Then fast for three days, or feed six poor persons by giving half a Sa of food for each and shave your head.' So the above Verse was revealed especially for me and generally for all of you."  

حُمِلْتُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ أُرَى أَنَّ الْجَهْدَ قَدْ بَلَغَ بِكَ هَذَا أَمَا تَجِدُ شَاةً قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ صُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَاحْلِقْ رَأْسَكَ فَنَزَلَتْ فِيَّ خَاصَّةً وَهْىَ لَكُمْ عَامَّةً  

I sat with Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him) and he was in the mosque. I asked him about this verse:" Compensation in (the form of) fasting, or Sadaqa or sacrifice." Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him) said: It was reveal- ed In my case. There was some trouble in my head. I was taken to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and lice were creeping upon my face. Thereupon he said: I did not think that your trouble had become so unbearable as I see. Would you be able to afford (the sacrificing) of a goat? I (Ka'b) said: Then this verse was revealed:" Com- pensation (in the form of) fasting or alms or a sacrifice." He (the Holy Prophet) said: (It Implies) fasting for three days, or feeding six needy perscins, half sa' of food for every needy person. This verse was revealed particularly for me and (now) Its applica- tion is general for all of you.  

قَعَدْتُ إِلَى كَعْبٍ ؓ وَهُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ هَذِهِ الآيَةِ { فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ ؓ نَزَلَتْ فِيَّ كَانَ بِي أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِي فَحُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ أُرَى أَنَّ الْجَهْدَ بَلَغَ مِنْكَ مَا أَرَى أَتَجِدُ شَاةً فَقُلْتُ لاَ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ { فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} قَالَ صَوْمُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ إِطْعَامُ سِتَّةِ مَسَاكِينَ نِصْفَ صَاعٍ طَعَامًا لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ فِيَّ خَاصَّةً وَهْىَ لَكُمْ عَامَّةً  

“I sat with Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah in the mosque and asked him about this Verse: ‘He must pay a compensation of either fasting (three days) or giving charity (feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).’ [2:196] Ka’b said: it was revealed concerning me. I had trouble with my head, so I was carried to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, with lice crawling on my face. He said: ‘I did not think that you were suffering as much as I see. Do you have a sheep?’ I said: ‘No.’ Then this Verse was revealed: “He must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either fasting (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity – feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).” [2:196] He said: ‘Fasting is three days, charity is to be given to six poor persons, giving each one half of a Sa’ of food, and the sacrifice is a sheep.’”  

عَنْ هَذِهِ الآيَةِ {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} قَالَ كَعْبٌ فِيَّ أُنْزِلَتْ كَانَ بِي أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِي فَحُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ أُرَى الْجُهْدَ بَلَغَ مِنْكَ مَا أَرَى أَتَجِدُ شَاةً قُلْتُ لاَ قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} قَالَ فَالصَّوْمُ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَالصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَالنُّسُكُ شَاةٌ  

“I sat with Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah in the mosque and asked him about this Verse: ‘He must pay a compensation of either fasting (three days) or giving charity (feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).’ [2:196] Ka’b said: it was revealed concerning me. I had trouble with my head, so I was carried to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, with lice crawling on my face. He said: ‘I did not think that you were suffering as much as I see. Do you have a sheep?’ I said: ‘No.’ Then this Verse was revealed: “He must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either fasting (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity – feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).” [2:196] He said: ‘Fasting is three days, charity is to be given to six poor persons, giving each one half of a Sa’ of food, and the sacrifice is a sheep.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 3079)  

عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ فِيَّ نَزَلَتْ كَانَ بِي أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِي فَحُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ ﷺ «مَا كِدْتُ أَرَى الْجَهْدَ بَلَغَ مِنْكَ مَا أَرَى أَتَجِدُ شَاةً» قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ { «فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} فَالصَّوْمُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَالصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى كُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَالنُّسُكُ شَاةٌ»  

[Machine] According to Allah the Almighty's saying, "So a ransom (compensation) from fasting, or charity, or performing Hajj (pilgrimage)" - I (the narrator) said, "I was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while lice were scattered on my face. He said, 'I do not see that hardship has afflicted you to the extent that I see you cannot find a sheep.' I said, 'No.' He said, 'So, fast for three days, or feed six poor persons, giving each half a Sa' (of dates or barley).' It was then revealed about a specific (individual) and it was made general for you."  

عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَعَلَا {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} قَالَ حُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ «مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى الْجَهْدَ قَدْ بَلَغَ بِكَ مَا أَرَى أَتَجِدُ شَاةً» قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ «فَصُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ» قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ فِي خَاصَّةٍ وَهِيَ لَكُمْ عَامَّةٌ «  

“I sat with Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah in the mosque and asked him about this Verse: ‘He must pay a compensation of either fasting (three days) or giving charity (feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).’ [2:196] Ka’b said: it was revealed concerning me. I had trouble with my head, so I was carried to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, with lice crawling on my face. He said: ‘I did not think that you were suffering as much as I see. Do you have a sheep?’ I said: ‘No.’ Then this Verse was revealed: “He must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either fasting (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity – feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).” [2:196] He said: ‘Fasting is three days, charity is to be given to six poor persons, giving each one half of a Sa’ of food, and the sacrifice is a sheep.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 3079)   

كَعْبٌ فِيَّ نَزَلَتْ وَكَانَ بِي أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِي فَحُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ «مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ الْجَهْدَ بَلَغَ بِكَ مَا أَرَى أَتَجِدُ شَاةً؟» قَالَ لَا فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} [البقرة 196] فَالصَّوْمُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَالصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ وَالنُّسُكُ شَاةٌ  

“I sat with Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah in the mosque and asked him about this Verse: ‘He must pay a compensation of either fasting (three days) or giving charity (feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).’ [2:196] Ka’b said: it was revealed concerning me. I had trouble with my head, so I was carried to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, with lice crawling on my face. He said: ‘I did not think that you were suffering as much as I see. Do you have a sheep?’ I said: ‘No.’ Then this Verse was revealed: “He must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either fasting (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity – feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).” [2:196] He said: ‘Fasting is three days, charity is to be given to six poor persons, giving each one half of a Sa’ of food, and the sacrifice is a sheep.’” (Using translation from Ibn Mājah 3079)   

كَعْبٌ فِيَّ نَزَلَتْ وَكَانَ بِي أَذًى مِنْ رَأْسِي فَحُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ «مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ الْجَهْدَ يَبْلُغُ مِنْكَ مَا أَرَى أَتَجِدُ شَاةً؟» قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} [البقرة 196] فَالصَّوْمُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ وَالصَّدَقَةُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنَ طَعَامٍ فِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ بَشَّارٍ وَالنُّسُكُ شَاةٌ  

[Machine] About his saying, may He be exalted, {So for people who cannot fast (the three days), he shall feed six poor persons.} [Al-Baqarah 196] He said, "I was carried to the Messenger of Allah, ﷺ , while lice were falling off my face. He said, 'I did not see you make any effort. Could you not find a sheep?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Then fast for three days or feed six poor people, giving each half a sa' (of food), and shave your head.' Ka'b said, 'Then this verse was revealed specifically about me, but it applies to everyone else generally.'  

عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى {فَفِدْيَةٌ مِنْ صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ} [البقرة 196] قَالَ حُمِلْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ وَالْقُمَّلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى الْجَهْدَ بَلَغَ مِنْكَ هَذَا أَفَتَجِدُ شَاةً؟ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ صُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ لِكُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ نِصْفُ صَاعٍ مِنْ طَعَامٍ وَاحْلِقْ رَأْسَكَ قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَنَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ فِيَّ خَاصَّةً وَهِيَ لَكُمْ عَامَّةً