English translation
4517. Narrated ‘Abdullāh bin Ma‘quil: I sat with Ka‘b bin ‘Ujra in this mosque, i.e., Kūfa mosque, and asked him about the meaning of: “...Pay a Fidya (ransom) of either observing Ṣaum (fast) (three days) or giving Sadaqa (charity — feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep)...” (V.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 observe fast for three days, or feed six poor persons by giving half a Ṣā of food for each and shave your head.’ So, the above Verse was revealed especially for me and generally for all of you.”