What is the minimum valid offering for an unrestricted vow (Nadhr) specifying a Hady (offering)?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The minimum offering that suffices for an unrestricted vow specifying a Hady is one sheep, or one-seventh of a camel or a cow. This is because an unrestricted vow must be interpreted according to what is established in Islamic Law, and the legally prescribed Hady is from the livestock (An'am), the minimum of which is as stated. Evidence for this interpretation is drawn from the verse concerning the Hady required for Mut'ah Umrah, where Allah states: {So, whatever offering is easy for you} (Quran 2:196), which was interpreted according to this minimum standard.
Supporting text
If the vower chooses to offer a complete camel, it is better, but there are two scholarly opinions on whether the entire amount becomes obligatory: one view, chosen by Ibn Aqil, holds that the entire amount is obligatory because the vower chose the highest option to fulfill his obligation, similar to choosing a higher option in expiations. The second view holds that only one-seventh is obligatory, and the remainder is voluntary, which the vower may eat or gift, as the excess beyond the minimum can be omitted without condition or replacement, resembling the case of slaughtering two sheep.