Abu Dawood

Ibn Abbas explained the following Qur'anic verse: "O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you" During the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ), when the people offered night prayer, they were asked to abstain from food and drink and (intercourse with) women, they kept fast till the next night. A man betrayed himself and had intercourse with his wife after he had offered the night prayer, and he did not break his fast. So Allah, the Exalted, intended to make it (fasting) easy for those who survived, thus providing a concession and utility. Allah, the Glorified, said: "Allah knows what ye used to do secretly among yourselves." By this Allah benefited the people and provided concession and ease to them.

Al Bara' (bin Azib) said "When a man fasted and slept, he could not eat till (another nigh) like it." Sarmah bin Qais Al Ansari came to his wife while he was fasting and asked her Do you have something (to eat)? She replied "No" . Let me go and seek something for you. So, she went out and sleep overcame him. She came (back) and said (to him) .You are deprived (of food). He fainted before noon. He used to work all day long at his land. This was mentioned to the Prophet (ﷺ). So the following verse was revealed. "Permitted to you on the nights of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. Allah knows what yes used to do secretly amongst yourselves. But he turned to you and forgave you. So now associate with them and seek what Allaah hath ordained for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you. He recited up to the words "of dawn" .

Salamah bin Al Akwa said "After the revelation of the verse "For those who can do it(with hardship) is a ransom, the feeding of one, that is indigent, is one of us intended to leave fast and pay ransom, he could do so." until the verse following it was revealed and abrogated the (previous) verse."

Ibn "Abbas explain the Qur'anic verse "For those who can do it(with hardship) is a ransom, the feeding of one, that is indigent" said "If one of them wished to pay ransom by providing food to an indigent person he could pay ransom.. Thus, his fast was complete. Allaah, the Exalted pronounced "But he that will give more of his own free will, it is better for him" . Again he pronounced "So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting." But, if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later.

Ibn "Abbas said "The verse concerning the payment of ransom stands valid for pregnant and sucking woman."

Explaining the verse; "For those who can do it (with hard-ship) is a ransom, the feeding of one, that is indigent," he said: This was a concession granted to the aged man and woman who were able to keep fast; they were allowed to leave the fast and instead feed an indigent person for each fast; (and a concession) to pregnant and suckling woman when they apprehended harm (to themselves).