What is the prescribed measure and nature of the food given for expiation?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Expiations
Primary text
The required amount for each of the ten poor persons is stipulated as a measure (Mudd) of dates or barley, as previously mentioned in the chapter on Zihar. Al-Khiraqi and Ahmad specify that flour (daqiq) and bread (khubz) are sufficient. Evidence is derived from the verse commanding feeding them 'from the average of what you feed your families' (Quran 5:89). Interpretations from Companions like Ibn Umar and others show this average includes bread with milk, dates, oil, butter, or meat. This indicates that bread is central to the 'average food,' differing from Zakat because expiation addresses immediate, single-day need, whereas Zakat is for year-long sustenance requiring durability like grain.
Supporting text
Malik and Al-Shafi'i hold that bread is not sufficient, nor is flour or suwiq (ground grain), as these are removed from the state of completeness and storability, making them analogous to paying the monetary value, which is impermissible. If bread is given, giving two Rithl of bread (Iraqi measure) is sufficient, or one Mudd of flour after grinding and baking. If flour is given without reference to the grain measurement, Ahmad stated that a weight equivalent to one-third Rithl suffices, but measuring flour by volume (Mudd) is not sufficient because grinding reduces the volume compared to the original grain. It is necessary that the flour or bread mentioned refers to that made from wheat; if barley is given, the amount must be double that required for wheat.