Qatada قتادة · Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam)

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…

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

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Do not fast on Saturday except what has been made obligatory on you; and if one of you can get nothing but a grape skin or a piece of wood from a tree, he should chew it.

I came to Ibn 'Abbas who was leaning against his sheet of cloth in the Sacred Mosque (al-Masjid al-Haram). I asked him about fasting on the day of 'Ashurah. He said: When you sight the moon of al-Muharram, count (the days). When the 9th of Muharram comes, fast from the morning. I said: Would Muhammad (ﷺ) observe this fast ? He replied: Thus Muhammad (ﷺ) used to fast.