Whatever remains that does not amount to a full day, such as less than a mudd, he fasts a full day for it. This is what 'Ata', al-Nakha'i, Hammad, al-Shafi'i, and the People of Opinion stated. We do not know of anyone who disagreed with them, because fasting is not divisible, so it is mandatory to complete it. Sequential fasting is not mandatory. This is also the view of al-Shafi'i and the People of Opinion, for Allah Almighty commanded it in absolute terms, so it is not restricted to being sequential without evidence. It is not permissible to fast for part of the penalty and feed [the poor] for another part. Ahmad stipulated this. This is also the opinion of al-Shafi'i, al-Thawri, Ishaq, Abu Thawr, and Ibn al-Mundhir. Muhammad ibn al-Hasan permitted it if one is unable to provide some of the feeding. This is incorrect, because it is a single expiation, so one cannot perform part of it by feeding and part of it by fasting, like all other expiations.

Section: As for game for which there is no equivalent, its slayer is given the choice between buying food with its value to feed the poor or fasting. Is it permissible to distribute the value? There are two possibilities: First, it is not permissible. This is the apparent statement of Ahmad in a narration by Hanbal, for he said: "If a person in ihram kills game and does not find an equivalent for it, it is adjudicated against him; he assesses food if he is able to afford food, otherwise he fasts one day for every half a sa'." This is how it is narrated from Ibn 'Abbas. This is because it is a penalty for game, so it is not permissible to distribute the value for it, just as in the case of that which has an equivalent. Also, because Allah Almighty gave a choice between three things, and value is not among them. When one of the three is absent, the choice remains between the two remaining things; as for mandating something other than what was specified in the text, that is not [permitted]. Second, it is permissible to distribute the value, because 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said to Ka'b: "What did you impose upon yourself?" He said: "Two dirhams." He said: "Implement what you imposed upon yourself." 'Ata' also said: Regarding the sparrow...