Must the expiator feed the exact number of poor persons specified for the expiation (e.g., ten for an oath)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
If the poor persons are found, the expiator must feed no fewer than ten for the expiation of an oath, and no fewer than sixty for Zihar or sexual intercourse during Ramadan. This is the position of Shafi'i and Abu Thawr. If the expiator is unable to find the full number of poor persons, he should repeat the distribution to those he finds daily until the required number is met over the period specified (ten days). For instance, if he finds only one person, he feeds that one person for the full ten days; if he finds two, he feeds them for five days each. This method is supported by Al-Thawri and is the preferred position of most scholars in this circumstance, as repeating the feeding over the allotted time serves the purpose of feeding the required number over that duration, establishing an equivalent where the original form is unattainable.
Supporting text
Al-Awza'i permitted giving the entire expiation to one person. Abu Ubayd permitted it if designated to a single, extremely needy household, citing the Prophet's instruction to the man who committed intercourse in Ramadan to feed his own family due to their great need. The Companions of Opinion permitted distributing the expiation to a single poor person over the allotted days (e.g., one per day for ten days) but not all on one day. A narration from Ahmad suggests that the full number must be found and fed, mirroring the ruling in cases of ability, which is also the madhhab of Malik and Shafi'i.