Is it permissible to substitute unprocessed grain (Habb) for bread in maintenance if the parties mutually agree?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Maintenance (Nafaqāt)
Primary text
If grain or flour is given instead of bread and they both agree, it is valid. This is because the obligation is for sufficiency, and if that is achieved through the substitution, the requirement is met. The consensus mandates bread only when there is disagreement because it is the customary staple.
Supporting text
A view exists that this is not permissible even if mutually agreed upon, according to some of our companions, because it constitutes a sale of the same genus (wheat/grain) with unequal exchange.