Is a bequest valid if made to an indefinite and uncountable group, such as a large tribe, the poor, or the needy?

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The bequest is valid in such cases, and fulfilling the bequest by giving it to one member of that group suffices. This view is held by Al-Shafi'i, according to one of the two reported opinions, though he stipulated giving it to three members as the minimum number constituting a group. The evidence for validity is that any bequest valid for a definite, countable group is also valid for an indefinite group like the poor. Furthermore, bestowing wealth upon the poor, even if they are rich, is considered an act of piety (qurbah), similar to when the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged giving gifts even to the wealthy. The justification for distributing the entire amount to a single recipient is based on the established rulings concerning the distribution of Zakah.