Sayyiduna Ka'b bin 'Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah said to me, "Perhaps lice are troubling you?" I replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "Then shave your head and either fast for three days, or feed six needy people, or sacrifice a goat."

Abdullah bin Ma’qil (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that I was present with Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in that mosque—he meant the mosque of Kufa—and I asked him about the fidya (compensation) for fasting. He narrated that people took me to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while I was in ihram, and lice were falling from my head onto my face. The Prophet said:“I did not think that you had reached such a level of hardship. Can you not find a sheep (to offer as sacrifice)?”I said:“No.”He said:“Then fast for three days, or feed six needy people—each needy person half a sa’ of food—and shave your head.”Ka’b said:“So this verse was revealed specifically about me, but its ruling is general for all of you.”