Explanation

The Hadīth shows that this Companion was used to having intercourse with his wife so frequently. Being afraid that he would have sexual intercourse with her while fasting during Ramadan that had already started, he pronounced Zhihār against his wife. In other words, he likened her to a woman who is permanently prohibited for him to marry such as his mother, sister, aunt, etc. However, while she was serving him one night, he saw her anklet and was enticed into having intercourse with her, which he did. He later regretted this and went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asking about the ruling on what he did. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered him not to touch his wife except after offering the expiation that Allah, the Exalted, has made obligatory for the one who made Zhihār against his wife. This Hadīth is a main reference on the issue of Zhihār.