1 The Virtues of Surah Al-Ma'idah; When It was Revealed Surah to ...

Allah mentioned the easiest, then the more difficult
options, since feeding is easier than giving away clothes,
and giving away clothes is easier than freeing a slave.
If one is unable to fulfill any of these options, then he
fasts for three days for expiation, just as Allah said,
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فَمَن ل َّمْ‏ یَجِدْ‏ فَصِيَامُ‏ ثَلاَثَةِ‏ أَی َّامٍ‏
But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast
for three days.
Ubayy bin Ka`b and Ibn Mas`ud and his students read
this Ayah as follows,
"Then he should fast three consecutive days.''
Even if this statement was not narrated to us as a part of
the Qur'an through Mutawatir narration, it would still be
an explanation of the Qur'an by the Companions that has
the ruling of being related from the Prophet.
Allah's statement,
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ذَلِكَ‏ آَف َّارَةُ‏ أَیْمَانِكُمْ‏ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ‏
That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn.
means, this is the legal way to atone for
deliberate oaths,
And protect your oaths.
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وَاحْفَظُواْ‏ أَیْمَانَكُمْ‏
Do not leave your broken oaths without paying
the expiation for them, according to the meaning
given by Ibn Jarir.
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Thus Allah makes clear to you His Ayat,
and explains them to you,
that you may be grateful.
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آَذَلِكَ‏ یُبَي ِّنُ‏ اللّهُ‏ لَكُمْ‏ آیَاتِهِ‏
لَعَل َّكُمْ‏ تَشْكُرُونَ‏ ﴿٨٩ ﴾
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