How do we reconcile Allah’s saying: “And upon those who are able to do it is a ransom of feeding a poor person,” with His saying:
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The questioner : How do we reconcile Allah’s saying: [Al-Baqarah 2:184] with the other verse: [Al-Baqarah 2:185]? He asks: Is the narration from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding the reading: authentic?
The Shaykh : Yes, we reconcile the two verses the questioner referred to, which are Allah’s saying:[Al-Baqarah 2:184] and His saying: [Al-Baqarah 2:185], by stating that the first verse was abrogated by the second, as established in the authentic hadith from Salama ibn al-Akwa‘ that when fasting was first made obligatory, a person was given the choice between fasting and paying the ransom. Then Allah the Exalted made fasting an individual obligation, and the ransom remained for those who cannot fast on a continuous basis. Thus, one who is unable to fast due to a permanent inability, such as an elderly person or a sick person whose recovery is not expected, owes a ransom of feeding a poor person in place of the fast.
As for the reading of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and him) that the questioner referred to:, I do not know this from Ibn ‘Abbas, but it is the opinion of some of the later scholars. Interpreting the verse with this is a very weak interpretation, because it entails interpreting an affirmed thing with a negated thing, which is the opposite of interpretation entirely. What came from Ibn ‘Abbas regarding the noble verse: [Al-Baqarah 2:184] is that it means they reach their capacity and it becomes difficult for them. However, the correct interpretation of the verse is what we mentioned first, due to the authenticity of the hadith supporting it, which is that when fasting was first made obligatory, a person was given the choice between paying the ransom and fasting. This is indicated by Allah’s saying: [Al-Baqarah 2:184], which is evidence that the verse was revealed regarding those who are able to fast, so they are given the choice between fasting and paying the ransom, and then fasting became obligatory thereafter.
In summary of what has preceded, there are three interpretations of the noble verse. The first interpretation is that it refers to those who are able to fast, so they may fast or pay the ransom, but fasting is better for them. This opinion and this interpretation is the correct one, due to the indication of the authentic hadith.
The second interpretation is that the meaning of the verse: is that they reach their capacity and it becomes difficult for them. This interpretation is narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and him).
The third interpretation is that the meaning of the verse is:. This interpretation was stated by some of the later scholars, and it is a weak interpretation that does not align with the interpretation of the Qur'an. The first interpretation is the correct one due to the establishment of the hadith supporting it. Yes.
The questioner : The listener Sultan ‘Abdullah al-Muwaish from Riyadh asks: O Shaykh Muhammad.
And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍSo whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it
فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُAnd upon those who are not able to do it is a ransom of feeding a poor person
وعلى الذين لا يُطيقونه فدية طعام مسكينThe Shaykh : Yes, we reconcile the two verses the questioner referred to, which are Allah’s saying:
And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍSo whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it
فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُAs for the reading of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and him) that the questioner referred to:
And upon those who are not able to do it is a ransom of feeding a poor person
وعلى الذين لا يطيقونه فدية طعام مسكينAnd upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person
وعلى الذين يُطَوَّقُونه فدية طعام مسكينAnd whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you
فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْIn summary of what has preceded, there are three interpretations of the noble verse. The first interpretation is that it refers to those who are able to fast, so they may fast or pay the ransom, but fasting is better for them. This opinion and this interpretation is the correct one, due to the indication of the authentic hadith.
The second interpretation is that the meaning of the verse:
And upon those who are burdened with it
وعلى الذين يطوَّقونهThe third interpretation is that the meaning of the verse is:
And upon those who are not able to do it is a ransom of feeding a poor person
وعلى الذين لا يطيقونه فدية طعام مسكينThe questioner : The listener Sultan ‘Abdullah al-Muwaish from Riyadh asks: O Shaykh Muhammad.