Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Salamah bin Sakhr (may Allah be pleased with him) that I was very fond of women, and I did not know any man who had as much intercourse with women as I did. Anyway, Ramadan came, so I made zihar (an oath of abstinence) from my wife until the end of Ramadan so that I would not go near her at night. I continued in this way until the day, and I did not find in myself the strength to completely separate from her. One night, my wife was serving me when her thigh became uncovered, and I had intercourse with her. When morning came, I went to the people and told them, "Ask the Messenger of Allah for me about this issue." They said, "We will not ask, lest a verse be revealed about us that will remain until the Day of Judgment, or the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says something (in anger) and its shame remains with us for life. But now you go yourself and do what you think is appropriate." So I left from there and presented myself before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and narrated the whole incident. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said three times, "Did you do this?" I replied, "Yes! And I am present, O Messenger of Allah! And I will be patient with whatever command Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, reveals about me." He said, "Then free a slave." I said, "By the One Who sent you with the truth, I only own myself." He said, "Alright! Then fast for two consecutive months." I said, "O Messenger of Allah! The calamity that has befallen me is because of fasting." He said, "Then give charity and feed sixty needy people." I said, "By the One Who sent you with the truth, we were hungry even that night; we did not have food for the night." He said, "Go to the one responsible for the charity of Banu Zurayq and tell him to give you whatever wealth he gives, feed sixty needy people from it, and whatever remains, use it for yourself." So when I returned to my people, I said to them, "I found hardship and bad advice with you, and with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) I found ease and blessing. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has ordered your charity to be given to me, so hand it over to me." So they gave it to me.