This was a special concession for him. If a man commits this act today, the expiation is necessary for him.

Abu Dawud said: Al-Laith b. Sa'd, al-Awza'i, Mansur b. al-Mu'tamir and 'Irak b. Malik have narrated this tradition like the one narrated by Ibn 'Uyainah. Al-Awza'i narrated in his version the words: Beg pardon of Allah.
Sunan Abi Dawud Book 14, Hadith 79