Hz. Salama b. Sahr and the Expiation of Fasting

Salama b. Sahr al-Bayyazi was a member of the Ansar from Banu Bayyaza. He was known to have difficulty controlling his sexual desires. When Ramadan began, he made zihar to his wife; that is, he swore that he would not have relations with her by likening her to his mother. However, before Ramadan ended, he broke this oath and was with his wife. In the morning, he went to his tribe and explained the situation. They said, "Ask the judgment of Allah and His Messenger." While narrating the incident among the companions, he felt ashamed and his voice faltered; eventually, he went to the Prophet and explained the situation. The Prophet informed him of the expiation for zihar: First, to free a slave; if he could not afford that, to fast for two consecutive months; if he could not do that, to feed sixty poor people. Salama b. Sahr said he was too poor to do any of these. Upon this, the Prophet instructed him to take a basket full of dates from the charity and distribute it for Salama's expiation. Thus, both the expiation was fulfilled and his need was met. This narration is directly related to the verses 2-4 of Surah Al-Mujadila, which regulate the expiation of zihar, and serves as an important example of the practical application of expiation rulings in Islamic jurisprudence. [Source: Abu Dawood, Talaq 17; Tirmidhi, Talaq 20; TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Zihar" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/zihar]