What is the required duration of fasting when choosing the option of fasting for expiation?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
There are differing scholarly opinions on the duration of fasting relative to the food measure. One reported opinion from Ahmad, supported by 'Ata', Malik, and Al-Shafi'i, states that one day of fasting corresponds to one *Mudd* of wheat (or the equivalent thereof in other staples), analogous to the expiation for *Ẓihār*. Another reported opinion from Ahmad, held by Ibn Aqil, Al-Hasan, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Thawri, and the companions of opinion, states that one day of fasting corresponds to half a *Ṣāʿ* of food, aligning with the standard measure for non-wheat staples in expiations. If the remaining quantity of food is less than the measure required for a full day's fast, a full day must still be fasted, as fasting cannot be partialized. The fast is not required to be consecutive.
Supporting text
It is ruled that one cannot combine the expiations by fasting for a portion of the penalty and feeding for another portion; the entire expiation must be rendered by one method, similar to other forms of atonement. Muhammad ibn Al-Hasan permitted combining them if one is incapable of fulfilling the feeding portion.